Joyful! RE|dance group Presents A Place At The Edge Of The World To Call Our Own at The Hamlin Park Fieldhouse Theater (January 12, 2017)

Most dance shows are very difficult to follow, but this performance is narrated with chapter titles and poetic language. This allows the audience to clearly understand what is happening in the dance. For example, the scene titled “Looking At Constellations” features one dancer lying on the floor looking skyward as another dancer is held up holding a pose, as if they were a constellation of stars. Another one is called “Gusting Winds” and features the dancers being blown across the stage. In “Foraging For Nuts”, the dancers become squirrels. It’s joyful to watch each of these ideas come to life through dance.

The soundtrack is expertly put together. It’s a mix of classical and modern music. When Each Coming Night by Iron & Wine plays, the scene is set for a beautiful dance. The same can be said for The Moon Song by Karen O & Ezra Koenig (from the Yeah Yeah Yeahs and Vampire Weekend respectively).

The final song is Darude by Sandstorm. The cast dances along to this infectiously fun song as if they were at a rave. It’s a fantastically joyful way to end the show and it sends the audience out with smiles on their faces. If the audience were invited to dance along, everyone would get up to dance after being inspired by this show!

Going to a show at The Hamlin Park Fieldhouse Theater, one would expect an odorous gym or an old fitness type room. This is not the case as the space is well designed and professional. Chairs are arranged on ascending levels giving everyone a great view. It definitely exceeded expectations.

Quinn Delaney

RE|dance group : http://www.redancegroup.org/