The Coast Academy of Dance spectacular Rhythm and Blues presentation last weekend at the Raven's Cry Theatre surpassed previous shows for energy and flair, and it drew full houses for the four performances.Despite the lively pace of the show - each act bounced on stage without missing a beat - the sheer number of students turned it into a three-hour recital. Perhaps because of its length, there were fewer soloists this year, though brief solo turns were incorporated cleverly into the dances. For example, the more advanced dancers, the Grade 4 ballet, showcased their technique in a colourful piece called Clockwork Dolls (choreography by S. Jackson) while on stage with the primary ballet and the Grade 3 tap dancers. (Other competition stars such as the award winning tap trio and the silver tap group were seen at the Sunday performances only.)Academy director Julie Izad provided a brief turn at the tango with guest dancer and teacher Dominic Brown. Guest performer Nikita McPhee-Cytko, who will join the academy's faculty in the fall, appeared with current instructor Erika Wrightman in a delightful piece called Forever.
The show was packed with highlights. They included Rhythmic Tango, choreographed by Izad and Erika Wrightman, that brought together modern dance and tap with great style and panache.
Highland dancing seems to have flourished this year - intermediate students Christina Fitchett and Tara MacLeod performed a clever hornpipe with choreographer and teacher Kathleen Carlsen. The younger dancers gave a creditable performance of Rhythms of Scotland.
Surely one of the most unusual tap performances was done by adult dancers who wore gumboots (chor-eography by C. Conkin). The bulky boots gave a certain satisfying thump that distinguished them from the clack of tap shoes. Later in the show, the dancers gave another outstanding performance in Ball and Chain. Imagine dancing tap with a prison ball attached to one ankle.
Pre-professional jazz dancers shone in a piece by April Newton Mason, Goodbye My Friend, that offered fine dancing and a poignant song. The Teen Song and Dance group also used their voices in combination with dance to good effect.One of the Academy's strengths has always been their hip hop performances. The two companies, Maximum and Dionisis, that have recently returned from competition, showed everyone how they scooped high marks. Their style and energy was refreshing. Unfortunately, instructor Mark Zealand will not be returning to the school this year, and the search is on for his replacement.
For the following graduating students, this might have been their last recital: Casey Baker, Sarah Demeter, Heather Hemstreet, R.J. LaVale, Kaley Levene, Conner McClughan, Dom-inique O'Brien, Laura Olson, Anya Skei, Britt Thorburn, Ronnie Virkela and Erika Weissenborn. Each of the above had their chance to shine in this weekend show, whether in hip hop, tap, ballet or jazz, and one of the graduating students seemed to appear in all of them. Chatelech's Austin Patterson danced her way through just about every style. Despite what must have been frantic costume changes, she displayed great joy in every performance.The Coast Academy will be hosting a summer dance session put on by Take a Chance on Dance for one week in August. Details are at www.coastdance.com. Regular classes will resume in September. More information is available by calling 604-885-2263.
