April Art Walk

Gainesville Art Walk, also known as GAWK amongst frequenters, is one of our favorite parts of the month. Every last Friday downtown turns into an open gallery as art boutiques, restaurants and stores turn their shops into a museum display of local art. Tonight Art Walk is hosted at seven different venues with dozens of artists on display. Most of the venues offer hor dourves like cheese and crackers, fruit and wine making Art Walk a perfect start or end to your night.

Art Walk starts at 7pm tonight April 30 and goes through 10pm. Featured venues include Palomino, The Hippodrome, Alcove, Sweetwater Print Cooperative, Floating Island Gift Shop and Eleanor Blair Studio. Visit any of the locations for a GAWK map.







Above: Ted Lincoln art. On display at Alcove.

Celebrate 40th anniversary of Earth Day tomorrow!

Join the fun with the Florida Museum of Natural History and Harn Museum of Art during the 40th anniversary of Earth Day from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. April 24. Located in the University of Florida Cultural Plaza, this year’s celebration includes demonstrations and activities focused on the environment and conservation.

At the Florida Museum of Natural History visitors may create a bird seed mosaic and view the newest Galleria exhibit, “Life on the Edge: The Story of Florida’s Nature Coast,” by Eric Zamora.

Appreciate the environment and join the Harn Museum of Art for outdoor painting activities for children and families, as well as demonstrations by plein air artists Frank Barone, Aliye Cullu, Tim Malles and Sam Saxon. The Harn will also offer docent-led tours of works in the museum focused on nature. The Kanapaha Celtic Trio will play traditional Celtic music from Ireland and Scotland, celebrating nature and love for the land.

At the Harn Museum, visitors may also learn about the important role of honey bees in “Apiary Investigations.” Toward the end of the day, participants will have the opportunity to enjoy a film about a beekeeper titled “Ulee’s Gold.”

In honor of this special event, the Florida Museum will expand its weekend plant sale to include more than 50 species of native and butterfly-friendly plants. This extended selection is available 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. Saturday and 1-4 p.m. Sunday and is a great opportunity to make a difference by gardening with plants perfect for local pollinators.

Admission to Earth Day activities is free. For more information visit www.harn.ufl.edu or www.flmnh.ufl.edu or call 352-846-2000 or 352-392-9826.

Fashion Party: Calzatura Celebrates Its 10 Year

Calzatura has had just the right touch to make it last in Gainesville for the past 10 years, but the store has been improving exponentially in the last few months. The price points, which have always been affordable have gotten even lower; and the clothes, which have always been cute, even more stylish. And now with the addition of carrying local designers that no one else is carrying, Calzatura is setting itself apart in the fashion community.

This is all fitting considering the store's logo change. What was once "Calzatura Chic Boutique," is now changed to "Calzatura Boutique: Chic, Unique and Affordable." The new slogan encapsules all the changes we have seen the store undergo.

Thursday, the store will celebrate its 10-year anniversary with Calzatura Cocktail Night, an event that promises food, art and deep discounts for all attendees. The cocktail night kicks off at 7pm, with everything in the store going at 40 percent off. That is a huge discount for a store that has all its merchandise priced under $100.

To help guests get into the celebratory mood, Calzatura will have cupcakes by the new gourmet cupcake store in town, Yum Cakery (which is amazingly yummy), and champagne.
"It is very important for us to support the local community," says Meghan Van Joosten, Calzatura's PR director. "There is a lot of great talent in the area, which everyone deserves to know about."

Aside from hosting treats from local vendors, Calzatura's Cocktail Night will also feature displayed artwork by Sergio Castro, a local artist with a lot of urban flair. The biggest local focus though comes from Calzatura's launching of three local lines, BobbyK, Courtney Lee Designs and Sironna. The three lines which are surprisingly affordable, establish Calzatura as a safe-haven for up-and-coming designers.

The selection of these designers points to Calzatura's motto of uniqueness, not only will the lines only be available at Calzatura, but they are also highly varied from each other. BobbyK is womenswear (and now also menswear), Courtney Lee Designs is a jewelry line, while Sironna is a swimwear line.
"We really want to show that every girl is a Calzatura girl, whether you are looking for something for a night on the town, day, the beach or even a cute new accessory, we got it," Meghan says. "The best thing is, we have it all at really affordable prices."

Calzatura Cocktail Night is on Thursday (4/22) from 7-10pm at Calzatura, 201 SE 2nd Ave.

- SG

Check back tomorrow to get the scoop on the store's revampment. We might even score a giveaway for you!

Democracy Redefined

See, think and imagine with Kerry Oliver-Smith, the Harn Museum’s Curator of Contemporary Art, on Sunday, April 18 as she offers an engaging look at the relationship of art and democracy in Europe at the exhibition Project Europa: Imagining the (Im)Possible. Smith’s gallery talk at 3pm at the Harn Museum will discuss the controversial worldwide impact of the West, Europe and the United States through the use of video art, wall paintings, photographs, cell phones and more. The Harn offers viewers a new way to experience the art, by allowing them to gain more information about individual pieces through their cell phones.

“This exhibition will provide an opportunity for Americans to reconsider and reinvigorate their understanding of democracy at home,” says Rebecca Nagy, director of the Harn Museum of Art.

Photo courtesy of Baker Botts L.L.P., Dallas, Texas

Sharab's New Night

Last week's Train Wreck Wednesday at Sharab. Photo courtesy of Alex Coyle

Sharab Lounge added a new facet to its already diverse character. On Wednesday nights, a conglomeration of live music, art gallery and guest DJs will take over the downtown bar for Train Wreck Wednesdays. "We want to give Gainesville the free night it deserves," says Matt Kelly, one of the event organizers. "Every week it's going to be new art and new music."

Train Wreck Wednesday works on the premise of making the often overused term, something for everyone, true. By mixing different art mediums, musical genres and drink specials, Train Wreck Wednesdays takes care of its varied clientele. Last week Train Wreck Wednesdays began with local folk band Greenland is Melting (check out our interview with the band in the March issue out now), a photo exhibit by Fiorela Larrea and DJ Mike spinning. Drink specials included green drinks in honor of St. Patrick's Day and Mad Hat, a high-demand beer, which is only carried at Sharab. "The distributors are very exclusive," says Matt. " And they let us have it."

Matt, a UF architecture student and bartender at Sharab, has been living in Gainesville for seven years. Originally from Palatka, Fla., only 40 miles from Gainesville, the town's art and music is what he grew up on. "This is something that is very special to me," he says. "I want to bring more recognition to it, and show people what Gainesville has to offer."

Tonight, Train Wreck Wednesdays continues with hip-hop group The Will Brennan Group and DJ TCP. As for the drink special? Get a shot and a beer for the price of one.

-Stephanie Granada

Museum Nights: Journey to Africa

This Black History Month, the Harn Museum of Art aims to help locals come a little closer to African culture. For the next Museum Nights on Feb. 11, the museum has packed a semester worth of African Studies lecturing into its three-hour event.

More than a sit and listen and watch experience, this Museum Nights will be highly interactive. The Harn has art-making activities, scavenger hunts and African-garb, dress-up stations. As for the food? Reggae Shack will be on site serving up items from its delicious Jamaican menu. Being the avid performing arts fans we are, we are really looking forward to catching Agbedidi, a UF dance, music and theatre group, which will enhance the night with its African dance and music talents. Not to be missed if UF's Pazeni Sauti Africa Choir.

On Feb. 14 at 3pm, the Harn Curator of African Arts, Susan Cooksey will be on site, leading a gallery talk focusing on A Sense of Place: African Interiors, with pieces from African homes, shrines, palaces and sacred places.

These free events offer a unique opportunity to step outside ourselves and learn about the Africa's rich historical and artistic story.

The Harn is located on SW 34th Street and Hull Road.

-SG

Awards for the kids, refreshments for you

Sunset in the Garden,” Marianna Mancuso, tempera paint, crayon, black ink, pencil and charcoal, Archer Community School, 3^rd grade

Tonight, a free public reception and awards ceremony for the Alachua County Elementary School art exhibition will be held from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Thomas Center Mezzanine Gallery. Awards will be given at 7pm followed by refreshments. Go and check out the work of the young artists in Alachua County! The exhibition will continue until the end of the month.

The Politics of Hair

Running now through March 14 at the Thomas Center Main Gallery is a new art exhibit, HAIRPOLITIC: Pomade in America. The exhibit, by artist Kenya Robinson, a Gainesville native now living in Brooklyn, is one that should not be missed. Kenya, who is also a writer, designer and professional muse, weaves items such as brushes, picks, synthetic hair, latex sheets and screws to create pieces that beyond just being beautiful also speak to the idea of what it is to be a black woman in America.

“In our collective memory, black women have expressed political points of view (sometimes unconsciously), social class, imagination and frustration, without saying a word," Kenya said in a press release. "Black hair seems to engage a silent dialogue amid the many visual cues that define and redefine blackness in the American context.”

On Feb. 12, from 5 to 8pm, the Thomas Center will host a free public reception in the Spanish Court as part of the Thomas Center's 100th Anniversary celebration. The Thomas Center is located at 302 NE 6th Ave.

Celebrate creative science and art displays

Don Edler with his work of art titled "Energy"

Wondering what scientific research today’s undergraduates are pursuing? Want to view the next generation of artistic influence? Learn about the latest in both science and the arts at the Celebration of Undergraduate Creativity in the Arts and Sciences Event from 11- 4 pm. Sunday, Jan. 24 at the University of Florida Cultural Plaza.

Undergraduate students from Emory University, Furman University, Louisiana State University, Morehouse College and the University of Florida will participate. The Florida Museum of Natural History and the Harn Museum of Art will feature scientific research posters from disciplines such as chemistry, biology and physics as well as two-dimensional and three-dimensional art. In addition to displaying science posters and art, the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts will host students presenting dance, theatrical and musical performances. Students will be available to discuss their work and answer questions during the event.

Last year’s showcase featured more than 150 art and science undergraduate projects with nearly 1,200 guests. More than 125 science entries and 50 art entries have been accepted for this year’s event.

Don Edler, a UF senior majoring in sculpture, submitted his work for the event. His oil painting, “Energy” depicts CERN’s particle accelerator.

“It seemed like a really good opportunity that meshed well with my work,” Edler said.

--Courtney Dell and Kelly Donovan

Wait, a Kid Did That?

“My Chicken,” Gabrielle Richardson, paper and fabric, High Springs Community School, 4^th grade

Check out the work of young artists in our community at the Alachua County Elementary School art exhibition starting tomorrow at the Thomas Center Mezzanine Gallery, and running until the end of the month. The exhibition is free, and includes a variety of 87 works of art that were created by Alachua County Elementary School art students who were selected from 26 participating schools.

“Space”, Christine Poole, oil pastel, Idylwild Elementary, 5^th grade

A free public reception and award ceremony will be held Thursday, January 21, 6:30-8:30pm at the Thomas Center. The awards will begin at 7pm followed by refreshments. The Thomas Center Galleries are located at 302 NE 6th Ave. Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 8am-5 pm, Tuesday 8am-7pm and Saturdays 1-4pm.

Bear Creek Music and Art Festival

The Bear Creek Music and Art Festival was a three-day celebration of sight and sound at the Spirit of the Suwannee Music Park in Live Oak, Fla. INsite was there to capture some of the most memorable moments. Check out our photo slideshow on our Web site!

—Photo by Sarah Hsu

Downtown Festival and Art Show a success

About 100,000 people attended this weekend’s Downtown Festival and Art Show in Gainesville. People, pets and children wandered through the packed roads, from city hall to the Hippodrome Theater, perusing the many white tents filled with various types of artwork.

Though each of the booths had beautiful pieces on display, the more eccentric artwork was the most fun to look through. The “silverwearable” jewelry, made entirely from the handles of old cutlery was cute, and the ceramic birdbaths looked too pretty to put in a yard.

Parents and kids took breaks from the heat and watched the music and dance performances in the shade by the Bo Diddley Community Plaza. The Gainesville Suzuki Players and dancers from the Gainesville Ballet Theater had great performances, and the Celtic harp and bamboo flute players were a big hit as well.

Ana Varela, a ceramic artist at the festival, says she saw a lot of interesting people of all ages in the crowd. This was her 20th year participating in the festival. “It’s a very predictable festival. The crowds always come out, and I see lot of friends because I’m local,” Ana says.

UF freshman Lynzee Marmor was a volunteer at the Imagination Station, where kids got to practice their creativity, and said she really enjoyed the fun and relaxed atmosphere of the event. “It’s fun to browse and they don’t make you feel obligated to buy, so it’s not uncomfortable,” she says.

—Elizabeth Behrman

28th Downtown Art Festvial

The pungent festival aromas of funnel cakes and popcorn waft through the streets, which are so packed with people it’s almost difficult to peek inside the white-tent booths lining the cobblestone streets. Kids play at the Imagination Station, where they make books, crazy hats and get their faces painted.

Saturday marked the first day of the 28^th annual Gainesville Downtown Festival and Art Show. Spanning from city hall to the Hippodrome Theatre, more than 250 booths displayed all types of local and national artwork, from paintings and sculptures to “silverwearable” jewelry and designer aprons.

“It’s just bigger and better than ever,” says Linda Piper, events coordinator for the city of Gainesville. According to Linda, the Downtown Festival and Art show is ranked the 27th best fine arts festival in the nation.

She says more than 600 artists applied to showcase their art in the festival and ultimately, artists were selected based on originality and technical expertise. In addition to the artwork, the festival showcases several local bands and entertainers on one of three stages set up in the area.

The free festival will continue today, Nov. 15, until 5pm.

—Elizabeth Behrman

Get Down Downtown

Kick off the Downtown Festival & Art Show weekend by checking out the Friday night Downtown Blues Festival tonight, Nov. 13. Performing this year is Janiva Magness, winner of the 2006 and 2007 Blues Music Awards for Best Contemporary Female Artist Of The Year., The free concert is at the Downtown Bo Diddley Community Plaza and will feature performances by local, regional and national musicians.

The next morning, attend the Downtown Festival & Art show—a nationally recognized event that Sunshine Artist magazine ranked the Festival No. 27 on a list of the best outdoor street festivals in the nation. Celebrating its 28th year, the 2009 festival (presented by the City of Gainesville Department of Parks, Recreation and Cultural Affairs) offers visitors the opportunity to meet exhibiting artists, sample fine cuisine and enjoy live entertainment.

From 10am to 5pm, the streets of downtown Gainesville will be transformed into a celebration of artwork from more than 250 artists showcasing oils and acrylics, watercolors, jewelry, sculptures and photography. Children can spend the day in the children’s area, where they will be immersed in art and creativity in the Imagination Station. Near the Hippodrome Theatre, more than 30 non-profits will have booths providing information about the community. Dozens of vendors will offer food from around the world, including Thai shish-ka-bobs, Greek gyros, Cajun jambalaya and more. See gvlculturalaffairs.org for more.

—Kate Ashby

Be an Art Insider

One of the University of Florida’s best-kept secrets, Art Bash showcases some of the most exciting faculty and student art from the School of Art and Art History tomorrow (Nov. 13.) The event, although not heavily promoted, typically draws a crowd of more than 600 people, says Andy Howard, spokesman for the UF College of Fine Arts.

“I do know it’s something people look forward to every year,” he says. He explains that each department plans different events, and is very secretive because it has become somewhat of an “unofficial competition.” In past years, departments have done parades, interactive activities and even do-it-yourself art projects, he says.

Andy describes Art Bash as more of an art-making show, versus an art showing. The event focuses more on the process of the artists in fields such as painting, printmaking, sculpture, drawing and more, also in addition to displaying art. “It’s a glimpse of inside life of what [the artists] do every day,” he says.

Art Bash is from 6pm to 9pm throughout the School of Art and Art History Fine Arts Complex on campus. Visit artbash.blogspot.com.

—Kate Ashby

Puppets Rock the Phillips Center

Last night (Nov. 10), we went to Avenue Q at the Phillips Center. Here's our report.

As the lights dim, the curtains are pulled back to expose a simple set with an orange backdrop. This is life in the big city, where people (and puppets) deal with rent, relationships and finding their place in the world. This is Avenue Q.

The show opens to Princeton, a recent college grad looking for a place to live. The audience roars as the motley crew of puppets and humans introduce themselves and their life-woes in “It Sucks To Be Me.” The puppets are only torsos controlled by a puppeteer in all black, but they look like real people, and they can sing. I’m seated at the top of the balcony, yet I feel like I’m in the front row.

Out of all the characters, Asian-American therapist-to-be Christmas Eve is my favorite. She looks like Ms. Swan from Mad TV with her broken English, funny mannerisms and outlandish costume. I’m perched on the edge of my seat as large television monitors drop from the ceiling with the word “Purpose.” This show isn’t just full of raunchy humor—it has a bigger message. All of the animations are fun and cartoon-like and my jaw drops as they segue into “Everyone’s a Little Bit Racist.”

It’s only 30 minutes in and I'm awestruck.

Two Carebear-like bears come on—the “Bad Idea Bears”—and they have definitely stolen the show. In cut childish voices, they convince Princeton and his love, Kate Monster, into doing some not-so-responsible things. An X-rated puppet sex session follows. Soon Princeton’s “purpose” morphs into “propose” and Kate is worried about walking the line between love and a waste of time.

The mood mellows for a few songs and picks back up with “I wish I Could Go Back to College.” A moment of fear passes through me as I realize I don’t have much time left until I’m going to graduate from college. What am I going to do? How am I going to find my purpose ? My fears are placated, however, as one of the show’s morals sinks in—everything in life is only for now.

I am delighted as the characters come out into the audience and incorporate the Gators into a joke. The show ends, and as everyone bows, the audience rises to its feet. I have a grin from ear-to-ear and my hands hurt from clapping so loud. I feel a little more optimistic—even if it’s just for one night.

—Victoria Phillips

MORE: Read our interview with Avenue Q wardrobe supervisor Heather Yerrick

Puppet Show NOT Child's Play

The adult-themed, Sesame Street-inspired puppet show, Avenue Q, will play at the Phillips center tonight (Nov. 9) and Nov. 10. Despite some obvious parallels with Jim Henson's Sesame Street, the show is in no way affiliated with the classic children's show. Avenue Q trails the lives of a handful of young adults trying to find themselves on the rough streets of NYC.

We caught up with Avenue Q’s wardrobe supervisor Heather Yerrick, who gave us the scoop on what being head of wardrobe is all about, and why you will be peeing your pants during this coming-of-age comedy.

What is Avenue Q all about?
It’s a fun and light-hearted show. It’s not your everyday musical — it’s quirky. The story follows a lot of 20-somethings who are just looking for where they belong in the world, why they’ve been put here and what they can do to make their lives better. They’re struggling with jobs, lovers, friends, relationships and paying rent.

Why would someone enjoy coming to see the show?
It’s completely irreverent and enjoyable show with catchy tunes. It’s not like Oklahoma. It’s not another cookie-cutter musical. The show is for them if they have a sense of humor and can laugh at life. If someone wants to enjoy a good solid laugh, Avenue Q is probably the place for him or her to be.

How did you become involved with the show?
I had been working on a Spongebob Squarepants show in Asia with the costume director who would later be hired for Avenue Q.

What exactly does a wardrobe supervisor do?
There is nothing huge about wardrobe with this show. There are only three human characters that change clothes. It’s certainly a smaller show for me, and it’s more about getting the laundry schedule right than anything else. So few people in the world want to hear about day-in and day-out of doing people's laundry.

What is it like working with puppets?
The puppets don’t change clothes, which is nice. We just have several puppets in different pieces of clothing. Rather than running off stage and doing a quick change with a puppet we just switch the puppet. It certainly makes life a bit easier because there is a lot of puppet swapping in our show.

Avenue Q runs at the Phillips Center, 315 Hull Road, Nov.9 and Nov.10 at 7:30pm. Tickets available at the Phillips Center box office and online at Ticketmaster.com.

--Victoria Phillips

Journey Through Eastern Civilization Art Show

Journey Through Eastern Civilization, showing now through Jan. 10 at the Thomas Center Main Gallery, is an exhibition of more than 100 rare Asian artifacts and documents. The pieces were borrowed from William Earl Hutchinson's Theatre of Memory in High Springs. The collection introduces audiences to ancient sculptures, tools, furniture and historical documents, bringing a taste of Asian culture to Gainesville.

The exhibit is located at the Thomas Center, 302 NE 6th Ave, and is free and open to the public.

—Photos by Timothy Carswell

RISK-y Film Experience at the Harn

Why settle for one film projector when you can use eight? Tonight (Nov. 3) at 7:30pm, filmmaker Roger Beebe will screen his Films for One to Eight Projectors as part of RISK Cinema season at the Harn Museum of Art. Locally, Roger is known as a UF professor of Film and Media Studies and the owner of Video Rodeo, but he has an international reputation for his experimental filmmaking. His works have been shown everywhere from the Sundance Film Festival to Times Square in New York City. His newest composition, Films for One to Eight Projectors, is a compilation of his earlier works: “The Strip Mall Trilogy,” “TB TX DANCE,” “Money Changes Everything” and “Last Light of a Dying Star.” We talked with Roger to find out what inspired him.

Your films are described as “expanded cinema.” What does that mean?
We have an imagination of the movies as a thing where you turn a projector on and you sit there and consume it. For about four decades, there’s been a certain movement that’s been called “expanded cinema,” which just means doing things that are different from that standard experience, trying to figure out what it is to renew the movie-going experience... Cinema doesn’t have to be just one thing that we’ve come to know from the multiplexes. It can be bigger than that in a lot of ways, so this is part of that tradition.

Did you always want to be an experimental filmmaker?
I started making films about 15 years ago. I was in grad school, and I sort of backed into it. My first films were more narrative and I just got tired of the hassles of making narrative films... and that’s when I really think I became an experimental filmmaker in a proper sense. It’s much more like being an artist in any other medium where it’s much more of a direct form of expression, and much more personal and immediate. I don’t have an MFA, and I didn’t go to art school, but it’s exciting discovering a form. It’s so much more rewarding.

What have been some of your cinematic influences?
If I rattle off the list, it would be a list of films that no one’s ever heard of, unfortunately. Even the most famous experimental filmmakers labor in the shadows. In some ways that’s a self-willed thing; none of these people are trying to get rich. That’s what makes experimental film a hard sell. I think people have a kind of caricature of it in their mind but have not really ever seen any of it. It’s not some scary austere, totally abstract, boring thing. It’s often very funny and pretty.

What do you feel RISK Cinema brings to the Gainesville community?
RISK Cinema is, for me, one of the greatest things that exists in this town. It is really a kind of cinema that would be totally absent otherwise. People will go out to art museums and look at abstract canvases and all sorts of modern and contemporary art. These kinds of films are exactly the equivalent of those kinds of things, but people just don’t know about them or somehow they’re not on people’s radar screens. RISK Cinema is the only place in Gainesville that’s making a case for this kind of work.

Can you describe Films for One to Eight Projectors?
The program progresses from some two- and three-projector pieces to the eight-projector pieces, [which is] the finale of the show. It’s somewhere between a normal theatrical experience and something a little bit more performative, in that there’s a sense of peril as I run from projector to projector and try to keep everything running. The subject matter varies from studies of post-modern, sprawling cities to Las Vegas to African Americans with Irish surnames to the final piece, [which] is about outer space. It’s not just a space-out experience. It works much more like a regular film; it just happens to be going through two projectors or three projectors or eight projectors.

—Allison Griner

The RISK cinema series is weekly screening at the Harn Museum showcasing up-and-coming filmmakers and the groundbreaking work they do. For more information, visit the Harn's Web site.

Dance Alive National Ballet presents Dracula

Dance Alive National Ballet has been bringing beautiful performances to North Central Florida for years. The company’s 44th season opened last Friday (Oct. 30) with Dracula.

Dracula, with all its lore, drama and—dare I say it? sex—is a whole new realm of dance. It’s beautiful, yes, but it’s also gripping and a little frightening in the best possible way. The company of internationally recognized dancers gave a moving performance, all while making their complicated steps look easy.

As the curtains opened to show us the imposingly large set of Count Dracula’s estate, the narrator, Dr. Van Helsing (Ric Rose) gave us the backstory: lawyer Jonathan Harker (Rostislav Dzabraev) travels to Transylvania to meet the rich, mysterious (and bloodsucking) Count Dracula (Andre Valladon.) Harker is met by the count and his three vampire brides (Carla Amancio, Reka Gyulai, Beth Ann Maslinoff).

Dracula comes spinning on stage, whirling around so quickly it makes my head spin. But it’s awesome. He is definitely a powerful dancer. When he’s on stage it’s hard to take your eyes off of him. And the music matches perfectly—the sounds are vibrant at times, ominous at others.
I’d like to live in this world—where people don’t speak; they dance to show their passion, sadness, happiness, fear. Dracula and his mortal victim Lucy’s (Michele Incollingo) duet after their first encounter is particularly compelling. You can hear every word their dancing is saying.
The production takes a turn in a different direction when the graveyard vampires come on stage. They are all dressed in ethereal white skirts, and the group of about 15 dancers move beautifully in unison, as one graceful, undead mass. I am amazed at how everyone seems light as air.
After the performance, the stage became a dance floor of another kind. The Dance Alive Halloween costume gala began about half an hour after the ballet. A small crowd gathered on the stage to eat food catered by Buddha Belly, mingle with the company and dance to Halloween classics. The same set from Count Dracula’s castle was even more beautiful up close.

The dancers mingled with each other and bounced from table to table, greeting friends and strangers. The DJ, dressed in his own Dracula garb, played Halloween favorites like “Monster Mash” and the theme to “Ghostbusters.” A rousing version of “Mambo Italiano” brought the stars of the show onto the dance floor. It was great to see them dance to just cut loose. Dance should be fun, and, for these people, it truly is.

—Amelia Marty; Photos by Sarah Hsu