Ah Arts Walk. This was just the breath of fresh air our community needed! The weekend was vibrant, the atmosphere warm, and the surroundings colorful and full of cheer. I engaged in many of the experiences our artists gave us this weekend, but my favorite moments happened to involve dancing.
On Sunday afternoon, I was honored to observe a rehearsal of Ballet Northwest’s “The Sleeping Beauty,” and I was completely enchanted. Audiences are in for a treat on Mother’s Day weekend; purchase a ticket as soon as possible because I imagine they are selling fast.
On Saturday night, I joined the festivities of Noches Tropicales and their one year celebration. The Olympia Cumbia hosts bimonthly social dances and lessons at Ramirez Mexican Restaurant & Store, 5105 Capitol Blvd. SE C in Tumwater.
Dance is medicinal to our souls and bodies, and also opens the doors to a more vulnerable and meaningful sense of community — see what I mean in this week’s column.
This show involves a large ensemble, and watching all the pieces come together was breathtaking. Observing the dancers, I was amazed by their advanced ability to multitask.
I cannot imagine having to remember my steps, maintain balance and strength, coordinate and sync my movements with other dancers, finesse my timing, pay attention to the smallest of details, and smile the whole time. Even typing it, I am exhausted. No one knows this special brand of multitasking better than the two dancers playing princess Aurora in their own cast.
The two Auroras, Natalie Allenton (BNW Alumni) and Grace Collins (a junior at Olympia High School), are real life Disney Princesses — kind, graceful, regal, and playful.
Chatting with them, I admired their reverence for this show and the character Aurora, and appreciated their mindsets as they crafted their own Auroras while honoring the original. Each Aurora dances with heart, joy, love, and both feel entirely honored to be adding beauty and enchantment into this world when it needs it most.
I admire how directors and co-coaches of Ballet Northwest, Ken and Josie Johnson, speak to their dancers and give everyone an opportunity to play a part. Ballet Northwest truly embraces diversity and inclusion, creating a company with a mixture of ages and body types.
Two of the queens in this production, Valerie and Leslie, had their own journeys into ballet. Valerie danced when she was younger, took a couple of breaks, and then came back in her older years. Leslie began dancing ballet when she was 64 years old, reminding all of us that the only limitations you have in life are those you tell yourself. Ballet is for everybody.
Strangers did not exist in this space — everybody made friends with one another quickly, even if they only lasted for one night or one song on the dance floor.
In my own moments on the dance floor, I realized that the idea of “the stranger” is really a social construct we created to protect ourselves from harm, even if the only real “danger” in scenarios like this is the idea of being rejected or looking silly. How freeing it was to have these social barriers removed and engage in a safe atmosphere full of joy and community.
Hidden talent truly comes out on the dance floor! How fun it is to see neighbors and community members who you perceive one way fully blossom on the dance floor.
I would be lying if I didn’t confess that insecurity got the better of me initially. Watching people dance the Salsa, Bachata, and freestyle with such talent made me feel inadequate.
That feeling quickly disappeared when one talented dancer asked me to join him on the dance floor. I warned him that my dancing skills were subpar at best, and he promised to teach me.
As we danced together, I learned that he himself was a student and that this was his first time dancing at a Noches Tropicales. The student became the teacher, and the writer became the dancer for a few moments of insane courage. I would like to thank my MIXXXED FIT and Zumba instructors for preparing me for this moment.
We danced the Cumbia, which was surprisingly quick and easy to learn. I highly recommend this dance to anyone who is new to dancing and wants to give it a try! It is fun and you look good even when doing the most simple of movements.
Check out Olympia Cumbia on social media to stay informed on their events.
Rachel Benton is a columnist, freelance writer, performing arts enthusiast and a Thurston County local. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with a double major in History and Political Science and minor in Music. When not writing or enjoying the arts, Rachel can be found spending time with her family, friends and two golden retriever puppies (Elliot and Ernie).
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