Dance Alive National Ballet: The Nutcracker

Last night, we were lucky enough to finally catch a performance of Dance Alive’s Nutcracker at the Phillips Center. It was at times romantic, exciting, mysterious—even funny. The elaborate sets, beautiful costumes and extensive cast (you won’t believe the number of toy soldiers) made for a refreshingly entertaining holiday performance.

For those unfamiliar with the classic story, it’s (loosely described as) the 19^th Century tale of Clara, whose family Christmas Eve party is followed by dreams of mice, soldiers, the eponymous Nutcracker and a fairy tale land of snowflake fairies and sweets. It’s set to famous music by Tchaikovsky (you’ve surely been hearing it in commercials and book stores these days) and this version is choreographed by Dance Alive Artistic Director Kim Tuttle. Last night, Rachel Ridley played Clara, who received a nutcracker doll from her Uncle Drosselmeyer (Tim Heflin). After her younger brother Franz (Elijah Eyerly) jealously breaks her doll, she falls asleep with it in her arms near the Christmas tree. At the stroke of midnight, she wakes to find her brother’s toy soldiers fighting a pack of mice. After saving her nutcracker, he comes to life as a handsome prince (Brian Hunter).

There are no dull moments, and both dance-lovers and willing novices would be wise to catch it while they can. The performance lasted about two hours with a 15-minute intermission—a perfect chance to get a glass of wine. There are performances ($15-$35) tonight (Dec. 18) at 7:30pm, Saturday and Sunday at 2pm; Sugar Plum Teas (when you can taste treats and meet the cast for $15) Sat. and Sun. at 4pm; and a Chocolate and Champagne Gala ($75) Sat. at 8pm. Call the Philips Center box office at 352-392-2787 or here for more info.

—Tim Carswell

Sip Champagne with Sugar Plum Fairies

Explore the set of The Nutcracker while sipping champagne and devouring decadent chocolates at Dance Alive National Ballet’s Chocolate and Champagne Gala this holiday season.

“Last year was the first year we did it onstage, and people seemed to really enjoy that,” says DANB Director Judy Skinner.

Well, it’s back by popular demand along with a silent auction of holiday gifts, music by Gosia and Ali, Blue Water Bay catering and a scavenger hunt that takes you throughout the Phillips Center.
Each participant in the scavenger hunt will receive a passport, and once their passport is all stamped, it will be entered into a grand prize drawing, Judy says.

The gala coincides with The Nutcracker Festival, which features performances of the popular ballet, as well as the family-friendly Sugar Plum Tea. The tea follows each performance and provides the opportunity to meet the Sugar Plum Fairy and her court and have holiday photos taken by Johnston Photography.

“We’ve been doing it for a number of years now, and it’s really, really successful,” Judy says.

The Chocolate and Champagne Gala will be held this Saturday, Dec. 19, at 8pm at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. Tickets are $75 per person or $600 for a table. For more information, visit dancealive.org.

—Kate Ashby

GIVEAWAY: Nutcracker Tickets!

We're giving away a pair of tickets to the holiday ballet classic The Nutcracker presented by Dance Alive National Ballet. Get a chance to see INsite cover stars Andre and Carla, plus the rest of Dance Alive's dancers, light up the Phillips Center Stage. The performances are Dec. 17 to 20, and you could get in for free!

To win, e-mail editor@insitegainesville.com (with Subject: Nutcracker) or RT this message on Twitter!

Celebrate African Song and Dance

Take a break from studying and check out the University of Florida’s School of Theatre and Dance's performance of "Agbedidi Dance and Drum" tonight (Dec. 4) through Dec. 6. Agbedidi, which means “long life” in the African language of Ewe, is a program that was created in 1995 to honor and celebrate African music and dance.

“Our show is one of the biggest on campus,” says Mohamad DaCosta, choreographer of the performance.

Founded by world-known musician Godwin Agbeli and part of the Center for World Arts, the group is mainly comprised of theater, dance and music students who share a passion for different types of music and culture. Although Agbeli passed away in the spring of 1998, his passion and commitment to African traditions continue to motivate and inspire local and international communities alike.

Members of the UF ensemble work weekly with dancers, visiting artists and master musicians, and perform throughout the semester both at festivals and community events.

“This year’s theme is “Griot,” which means storyteller,” Mohamad says.
The show begins at 7:30pm at the Constans Theatre . Tickets start at $13. Visit ticketmaster.com or call 352-392-1653.

—Michelle Profis; PHOTO: T.F. Guntrup

Pan-hellenic Step-off

The stage at the packed Phillips Center quaked with resounding force as UF's fraternities and sororities went head-to-head at the annual Battle of the Greeks 2009 step show on Saturday (Nov. 7). This year’s theme was “Keep the Cameras Rolling,” and with inspiration from some of pop culture’s most well-known movies, TV shows and commercials, comic relief and nostalgia filled the room as the crowd sat on the edge of their seats—despite the Gator football game raging down the street.

In a quest for “the one,” to bring it to “stepping greatness,” Phi Beta Sigma took a trip into The Matrix. Dressed in black leather trench coats and dark shades, Phi Beta Sigma incorporated chairs and a black lights to emphasize the precision and difficulty of the moves. The frat also paid homage to Michael Jackson by dancing to his song “Jam.”

Zeta Phi Beta gave a glimpse of what it takes to earn a “Dove Ladies” jacket with an adaptation of Grease. Wearing black nylon leggings and royal blue jackets with “Dove Ladies” inscribed on the back, the ladies looked like they stepped right out of the late-50s. In a diner scene the women used lunch trays as props while doing intricate steps, and even created a human centipede.

Alpha Phi Alpha poked fun at EHarmony.com with its performance’s theme "getting married." They started the performance with a video showing the boy-meets-girl process, and fast-forwarded to being inside the church once the guys took the stage. In addition to having the groom and groomsmen they also had frat members dressed as bridesmaids, who won the crowd over with a performance of Beyonce’s “Single Ladies.”

Delta Sigma Theta brought out its detective skills with an Inspector Gadget-themed performance. Unlike the original clumsy inspector, these ladies' performance was precise and coordinated. In addition to gadgets such as the Go Go Gadget helicopter using four girls, the show had a girl acting as the inspector’s niece, Penny, calling out plans of actions to help the ladies complete the tasks. Another highlight was the human bicycle.

Iota Phi Theta brought a "revenge of the nerds" theme with its reinvention of the sitcom Family Matters, with a focus on the relationship between Steven Q. Urkel and Laura Winslow. With suspenders and thick-framed black glasses, the frat encompassed the essence of Urkel. The occasional pelvic thrust throughout the performance was icing on the cake. The Iotas also brought back the Urkel Robot, who popped-and-locked his way into drawing laughs and the ever-so-cool Stefan Urquelle.

In a voyage to find its way back to the Phillips Center, Alpha Kappa Alpha went into fairytale mode with its "Alice in Ivyland" theme. Dressed in pink and green polka-dot dresses, the sorority gave Wonderland a run for its money. As the women declared their “prettiness” through stepping and dance, the White Rabbit and Cheshire Cat were present, as was the Queen of Ivyland. The human staircase stood out, as one of the members ran up her sisters’ backs.

Kappa Alpha Psi had a "ninja" theme that was led by its version of the legendary Mr. Miyagi. With strobe lights, the frat created a Mortal Kombat battle scene that incorporated stepping with martial arts. Known for its use of red and white canes, the guys took on a challenge by Mr. Miyagi to use them while blindfolded, and without a flaw, the members executed the task, throwing and even swinging the canes within close proximity of one another.

Omega Psi Phi showcased its newsworthiness, literally. It's been said that the frat was “too wild and rambunctious,” so in an effort to show that they had a focused and hardworking side, it made the evening news, using Walter Cronkite to tell the story. As its signature gold boots pounded the stage, with every hop and step the guys took, the crowd was impressed with the members' athleticism. A standout move in the performance was the creation of a human tank wheel.

At the end of the night the eight judges had the last say. The winner in the sorority category was Delta Sigma Theta for its Inspector Gadget routine, and for the fraternities the winner was Alpha Phi Alpha for its EHarmony skit—good luck to them at the regional competition.

—Margaret Francois

Photos by Sarah Hsu

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

Dance Alive presents Dracula, tonight!

Last night, we were lucky enough to be invited to catch a preview performance of Dance Alive National Ballet’s Dracula at the Phillips Center. As choreographer Kim Tuttle called queues from stage right, the lights went down, the curtain went up and we entered the diabolical world of Count Dracula, performed by the versatile Andre Valladon.

With vampires captivating pop culture recently, Dracula is an appropriate title this Halloween; however, Dance Alive’s ahead of the curve—they’ve been performing the eerie Victorian tale for 18 years. In it, it’s amazing to watch as about 30 company dancers (who only moments before joked about their white fang teeth or acrylic talons) become at turns gypsies, Brides of Dracula, pious English men and women, and more.

The set and lighting change often, and the intricate costumes and dramatic music contribute to every scene as we follow Jonathon Harker (played by Rostislav Dzabraev) from Transylvania to England in the nearly two-hour performance. Although we knew it was only make-believe, we were captivated in this ultimate tale of good versus evil—a definite Halloween treat.

Catch Dracula tonight (10/30) at the Phillips Center for the Performing Arts at 7pm. It is preceded by a Dracuween Kids’s Party at 6pm, in which children can enjoy a safe trick-or-treat ($15), and is followed by Dracula’s Halloween Costume Ball ($35). Call the box office at 352-392-2787 for tickets.

Photos by Sean Kelly

Take a Trip To Transylvania + Win Tix!

** Win free tickets! See below.**

Grab some garlic and a crucifix, and hope this stage performance of Dracula doesn’t give you nightmares. This one-night-only ballet by Dance Alive National Ballet will be at the Curtis M. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts on Friday, Oct. 30, at 7pm.

“It’s an intense, scary, frightening piece with a broken neck or two,” says Dance Alive resident choreographer Judy Skinner. The ballet features several University of Florida dancers and well-known set artist Margaret Tolbert.

Judy says the performance will coincide with two other events: Dracuween Kid’s Party and the Dracula Halloween Costume Ball. The kid’s party will be at 6pm and awards the child with the best costume and features a tour of the Dracula set. The Costume Ball will be onstage immediately following the ballet and provides a DJ, Bloody Mary’s and Buddha Belly catering. And with all things Halloween-related, Judy says LifeSouth will be accepting blood donations.

“If you’re going to throw a Halloween party, you might as well do it with one crazy setup,” she says. For tickets, visit dancealive.org.

—Kate Ashby
PHOTO: Johnston Photography

We’re giving away a set of tickets to Dracula. Follow us on Twitter to win!

Free African Dance Performance

If you missed last Friday’s Brazilian and African music and dance show in Downtown Gainesville, then you are in luck. Tonight at the University Auditorium on UF’s campus, the two performing groups will take the stage again at 7:30pm.

Last weekend the Brazilian band and choir wowed the audience with their lively beats and beautiful harmonies during the Let's Go Downtown Plaza Series. Adults and children alike couldn’t help but get to their feet and dance to the cultural rhythms. Agbedidi Africa, a collaboration of African dancers and musicans at UF’s New World School of the Arts, also appeared on Friday. And for that brief hour, the crowd was transported to the exotic lands of Guinea, Senegal, Cote d'Ivoire Ghana and more.

Tonight’s show will have both groups, and it will also include even more performances than the last one. Admission is free, and everyone is welcome. For more information about Agbedidi or to learn how you can join and take classes, e-mail Mohamed Da Costa, dacosta1@ufl.edu, or Joan Frosch, jfrosch@arts.ufl.edu. UF students can become members by enrolling in DAA 2381: World Dance and Inercultural Performance.

—Christina McGinley; Photos: Nicole Safker

Gator Growl Promises Legendary Experience

After getting backstage access to the official Gator Growl 2009 "Legends of the Swamp" press conference, we’re more pumped than ever for tomorrow night’s big event in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Former UF quarterback and this year’s Growl host, Danny Wuerffel, Growl producer Matt Sloan and winners of the first season of America’s Best Dance Crew, the JabbaWockeeZ were on hand to fill us in and promise a night to remember. The theme revolves around this year’s graduating football class, namely quarterback Tim Tebow and linebacker Brandon Spikes.

The JabbaWockeeZ will be joined onstage by headlining comedian Dana Carvey and rock band O.A.R. The acts are expected to draw a crowd of 40,000. “There’s no better combination of talent in Gainesville to honor the best graduating class in college football history,” Matt says.
The production team focused especially hard on finding acts relevant to students’ wishes, and the buzz on campus is something Matt hasn’t seen in the past five years. This year is also the first time the high-definition video boards and surround sound audio will be used to provide a front-row experience throughout the stadium. The technology has gotten so advanced that “Dana Carvey’s not actually going to be here, he’s just a 3D hologram,” Danny joked.

For their first ever stadium performance, the JabbaWockeeZ will be incorporating both dance routines that took it to the top on ABDC and brand-new moves into its 360-routine. “We’re so excited to get the crowd hyped up and just have fun,” crewmember Ben says. With influences as diverse as Gene Kelly and New Kids on the Block, we can’t wait to see what they have in store.

The action-packed show starts at 7pm in Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Tickets can be purchased online and at the University Box Office and are $15 for students, faculty & staff and $25 for the general public. For more info, visit gatorgrowl.org.

-- Ashley Spencer; Photos by Rodney Rogers

Let Your Inner Gator Growl!

This year’s University of Florida Gator Growl, the largest student-run pep rally in the world, will honor what’s called “the greatest senior class in college football history.” It’s only fitting that this year’s theme is “Legends of the Swamp.” The event, which is in its 86th year, is tomorrow (Friday, Oct. 16), at Ben Hill Griffin Stadium, and is the culmination of many Homecoming events leading up to the annual Homecoming football game on Saturday.

In planning for the event this year, the Gator Growl Production Team implemented an e-mail address for ideas and suggestions. The e-mails helped determine this year’s talent acts, including comedian Dana Carvey and musical act O.A.R. Another twist includes a performance by the winners of MTV’s America’s Best Dance Crew, the JabbaWockeeZ.

“It’s the first time we’ve ever had three acts,” says director of public relations Bryan Griffin. But what senior Becky Schneider looks forward to are the student skits, which are generally based on campus jokes and rivalries.

“I like how they make it so personable to UF students,” she says, “like last year when they joked about the Turlington preachers.”

Student, faculty and staff tickets cost $15, and all others are $25. And don’t forget to watch the Florida football team play Arkansas on Saturday, Oct. 17.

—Kate Ashby

Dance Alive Costume Garage Sale

Dance Alive National Ballet held their 10th Annual costume garage sale on Saturday (Sept. 26). The dance company is in the process of consolidating their costume warehouse space from four buildings to one and there is much to be sold.

People from all over Gainesville gathered hours before the event’s official 9am start time to snatch up their picks from this year’s top productions.

Dancers, moms, theater teachers and thrifty fashion gurus stomped the yard in front of Pofahl Dance Studio with hands full of tutus, leotards, flapper dresses, leopard leggings, chiffon gowns, fabrics, ballet shoes—you name it—from previous Dance Alive productions and community contributions. Judy Skinner, who is the resident choreographer and Director of Grants and Arts Education Programming said some of the more popular pieces were the Nutcracker costumes and authentic Hawaiian outfits, all of which were sold at a mere fraction of the regular price.
With most items going for $1 a pop, it’s clear to see the value of this event. I managed to score a Carrie Bradshaw-inspired tulle skirt for only $2, which can be easily worn over leggings, tights or a fitted dress, as well as underneath a skirt to add volume and flare to any outfit.

The money earned from the garage sale will go toward funding educational arts programs that have been cut by both the county and the state. “But I’m a happy camper,” Judy said. “Sales have been great.”

Dance Alive’s next fundraising event will be a performance on Oct. 3 at Eastside High School.

—Brooke Johnson

Surf Frenzy 09

Students from all over Gainesville made an appearance at The Venue downtown Wednesday night to witness the ultimate sorority dance competition. Sororities anticipate the fraternity Sigma Phi Epsilon’s philanthropy, Surf Frenzy, every fall semester, in which women get the chance to scandalously bust out dance moves while raising money for the Florida Camp for Children and Youth with Diabetes, which gives children with diabetes the ultimate camping experience.

By 9pm, the line was backed up and stretched around the corner. Bouncers attempted to control the crowd, but women (and men too) were pushing their way through, anxious to see their favorite sorority perform. By the time I got to the front, it was one in and one out, with more than 50 girls behind me, but I was prepared for the wait, as Sig Ep’s philanthropy is always the crowd favorite.

Once I finally got inside, I felt like I was at a rock concert, dripping with sweat and finding myself singing along to “I’m in Miami Bitch,” inspired by the “Kourtney & Khloe Take Miami” TV show.

The amount of sorority gear, screaming girls and signs bearing Greek letters was intense, as well as the outfits worn by each sorority—but I did not expect anything else. Neon colors, smoky eyes and bright suspenders were the trends on stage. Sororities put a spin on children’s classics, incorporating favorites like “Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory,” “Alice In Wonderland” and “How the Grinch Stole Christmas,” into their dance moves. Whoever said Alice wasn’t sexy was seriously mistaken, especially at a college event, where less is more.

Delta Gamma took first place, with Zeta Tau Alpha in second and Alpha Omicron Pi in third. Not a huge surprise if you ask the Greeks.

It was a good night filled with excitement, pride and a whole lotta skin. Until next year … sororities, my advice is start preparing now if you intend to bring your “A” game to this man-pleasing, skin-stripping affair.

—Text and photos by Brooke Aronoff