Edmonds Center for the Arts was standing room only last Saturday night, and grown-ups were tearing their hair out keeping track of 100 plus kids, from wee ones who only recently learned to walk to teens not far from voting age. The event’s name was “Everybody;” and everybody, I mean everybody, got involved.
The organized chaos that was “Everybody” was the year-end recital of the dance program offered by Mountlake Terrace’s Parks &Recreation Department.
The idea was to show what the kids could do with, according to the mission statement, “a structured approach to dance; emphasis on technique, creativity and building self esteem.”
The format was close to 30 dance sequences performed by groups of less than 10 in full costume and makeup and accompanied by recorded music. Tap, ballet, modern, jazz, Irish river dance, belly dance, hula; you name it, from beginners to advanced, they danced it.
How did they dance it?
Technique came and went, and no one cared.
Kids being kids, the younger ones in particular didn’t lack for creative ways of doing things their way; and deafening applause approved.
As for signs of squelched egos, there were none anywhere. Credit the staff for providing a nurturing environment and family and friends for showing support.
So what’s it all add up to? What difference does this dance program make?
Representative answer: Graduating senior and featured soloist, Elizabeth Samp.
Here is a program dancer for 10 years who focuses on ballet, modern and hip hop besides playing violin, sewing, reading, traveling and assisting her church’s youth. Pacific Lutheran will prepare her for a nursing career starting next year, and she is sure she will dance for as long as she can.
The solo Samp did was classical ballet. It was poised, composed and controlled.
Also, the way on stage, Samp accepted bouquets from dance programmer, Kristina Dillard, and her parents, Paula and Rick Samp, were gracious and appreciative. Here was one, well-adjusted individual “Everybody” can be proud of.
For more information about the Mountlake Terrace Dance Program, call 425-640-3107.
Reactions? Comments? E-mail Dale Burrows at entopinion@heraldnet.com or grayghost7@comcast.net.
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