Events Article

By Briana Baker

October 1, 2011

                The audience cheered giving them a standing ovation as dancers from Webster University took their bow after performing “Impetus” on the Washington Stage. Nearby a large crowd gathered in front of City Diner on Grand to watch dancers perform a hip hop improvisational piece. Some videotaped the performance and smiled as the three teenaged guys accompanied by two young girls entertained the streets.

 For the 5^th year Grand Center, a non-profit organization, has opened its fall season with the Dancing in the Streets Festival with hopes of engaging the community in the art around them. Families and people of all ages walked Grand Ave. between Delmar and Olive as more than 700 dancers performed 75 performances on four outdoor stages.

Beckah Reed, artistic director of the dance department at Webster University, says Webster has been a part of the festival since it began five years ago. Impetus, a contemporary piece choreographed by adjunct professor Maggi Dueker, was performed by students Nola Dunn, Ashley Drumm, Abby Ellison, Hope Harl, Isaac hester, Meredith McLaughlin, Sam Mitchell, Julie Opiel, Matt Schmitz and Rain Steppic. Students who were interested had to audition for Impetus last year. Webster University Dance Dept. chose this piece after it was performed at Webster last spring.

Hanging Out, an improvisational piece also performed by Webster, gave other dancers a chance to perform at the festival.

“We chose this for the new students so that they could have new opportunities and it would be less stressful than the more contemporary piece, “Reed stated.

Paige Walden, Andrew Simes, Ashley McQueen, Brooke Wandling, Jessica Manker, Kerondreian Foster and Hannah Greigerett kept the audience smiling as they danced free will on the steps of Third Baptist Church.

Amy Shears, director at Center of Creative Arts- COCA- says they have also participated in the festival all five years and choosing the pieces to perform in the festival can be very strategic.

“The audience is more unique than the traditional theater,” Shears said. “We have to pick pieces that will engage the audience on a short notice.”

In order to perform in the festival you have to apply to Grand Center the spring before after the Request for Art is sent out in May. Travis Howser, director of events and theaters at Grand Center, asks that you submit a video of a dance recital to the company. Jay Perry, director of development at Grand Center, says the festival began as a way to promote the district (surrounding area of the Grand Center) of the falls art season.

Along with the different styles of dance performed, many stands and kiosks were set up as well. A variety of food was sold including the hot dog stand, pizza truck, Kota food fire grill, Café Pintxos and a couple wine and beer stands. Stands to purchase dance costumes for people and pets, as well as other souvenirs, were available as well.