Dance on Location: Orlando
Pack your shorts and your sunglasses and head to the coast for a star-studded dance vacation. Thoughts of endless sunshine and celebrity spotting may undoubtedly evoke thoughts of the City of Angels, but when it comes to dance, California’s eastern cousin has just as much to offer.
Orlando, Florida, nestled in the middle of the state, is a haven for dancers and entertainers of all kinds, as well as those who simply enjoy a good show. It may not have the glitz of Hollywood or the hustle and bustle of New York, but you’ll find a diverse representation of genres in this southern vacation destination.
Spectacle awaits at the iconic Walt Disney World -- home of everyone’s favorite celebrity Mickey Mouse -- a mandatory stop on any dance-related tour of the South. In particular, the Fantasmic! show, a staple at the park’s Hollywood Studios since 1998, packs a one-two punch of pyrotechnics, hydrotechnics, laser lights and projections along with a who’s who of Disney characters from the past and present. While the characters that make an appearance vary from night to night, it’s not rare to see Belle dancing with the Beast, Snow White and her dwarfs twirling with ribbons and Mickey himself conducting it all. The display is more over-the-top performance than technical dance show, but it is a multimedia experience that is not to be missed if you’re in the area.
Of course any visit to Disney World isn’t complete without a trip to the Magic Kingdom, where “Dream Along with Mickey” takes place in front of Cinderella’s Castle on a daily basis. The show’s performers include Donald Duck, Goofy, Mickey and Minnie Mouse along with several talented Disney dancers who take the audience through an adventure to help Donald realize his dreams.
If ballet is your thing, the Orlando Ballet is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year and will be presenting a season of popular, timeless works. In February, the company performs “Balanchine: An Evening with Mr. B.”
“This one is instructive for students because it’s a different technique,” says Joan Sussman, marketing director for the Orlando Ballet. A month later, the company will present “Encore! 35th Anniversary Celebration,” a guided tour of the company’s best performances by Artistic Director Bruce Marks.
Orlando Ballet School
Photo by Scott Taylor
“This is a very eclectic program,” Sussman says. “Some of the roles dancers have done over the years will be reprised. Bruce Marks tells a lot of stories about the original dances. He was around back then and knew everybody.” Sussman also says the program is interesting from an educational and historical point of view because the audience will get an insider’s look at the company’s past. The season concludes with “Romeo and Juliet,” a timeless classic for all ages. The company, Central Florida’s only professional resident ballet company, performs in Orlando at the Bob Carr Performing Arts Centre and also has a regular season in Tampa at the Tampa Bay Performing Arts Center. And as an added bonus, $10 rush tickets are available to K-12 students and teachers with a valid ID.
Modern dance lovers will also be delighted by Voci Dance. This former dance collective has transformed into a vital force in Orlando’s dance scene, committing itself to developing a community of people who are aware of and appreciate modern dance as an art form. The company’s bold movements and classical persuasion have delighted audiences since its inception, making modern dance just as accessible as the many other forms of dance that find their way on the stage in Central Florida. Voci is Orlando’s oldest modern dance company and will celebrate its ninth season this year. This fall, the company brings guest artists Cheryl Mann, formerly of Hubbard Street Dance Chicago, and Tara Burns of Adele Meyers & Dancers in New York to join them at the newly renovated Garden Theatre in historic Winter Garden, Florida, according to Executive Director Kelli Cummins. In addition to premiering new works by both choreographers, Voci will also bring back past favorites including "Parcht" by choreographer Ellie Potts Barrett of Florida.
Of course any dance vacation isn’t complete without a few trips to class! While catching a show at the Orlando Ballet, why not stop in for a lesson or two? Sussman says a group of visiting dancers would be welcome to drop in for class (and she recommends visiting in January or February, when Orlando’s weather is at its best). The school offers many levels of ballet, as well as modern, theatre dance and jazz for younger students and ballet and flamenco for adults.
The Ballet Academy of Central Florida offers daily open classes for all levels of ballerinas at a very affordable $10 per class (plus a registration fee for students under the age of 18). Classes are taught by members of the Central Florida Ballet, as well as other local professional instructors and choreographers.
Spotlight Dance Center offers ongoing teen and adult classes in many disciplines, including hip-hop, jazz, lyrical and ballet – even belly dancing – for $10 or $11 per class, depending on the length. The studio is co-owned by Peter Anthony, an accomplished performer and commercial choreographer, and Margarita Martinez Anthony, a former member of the Miami Ballet. One of the studio’s most popular classes is taught by jazz instructor Myles Throughgood, a diverse stage and video choreographer who recently completed work on the “Mickey Mouse Club.”
Between full-length ballets, hip-hop class and Mickey at the Magic Kingdom, it’s easy to fill your time and enrich your life as a dancer in Orlando. In this affordable, sunny southern city, you’ll find glitz, glamour, classical, abstract and everything in between. Say goodbye to snowy winter and spend some time soaking up rays and experiencing some of the country’s hottest dance.
Performance dates:
Walt Disney World
DisneyWorld.com
· Fantasmic!: Daily until January 2009, then will occur a few times per week. Consult the park schedule for dates.
· Dream Along with Mickey at the Magic Kingdom: Daily. Consult the park schedule for times.
Orlando Ballet
OrlandoBallet.org
· The Nutcracker: December 12-21, 2008
· Balanchine: An Evening with Mr. B: February 6-8, 2009
· Encore! 35th Annual Celebration: March 27-29, 2009
· Romeo and Juliet: May 1-3, 2009
Voci Dance
VociDance.org
· Voci Dance Presents (Winter Garden, Florida): November 7-9, 2008
· Voci Dance at Say It Loud: February 6-7, 2009
· Orlando International Fringe Festival: May 2009 (TBA)
Classes:
Orlando Ballet School
Central Branch
1111 North Orange Avenue
(407) 426-1733
South Branch
7600 Dr. Phillips Blvd.
(407) 352-9733
Central Florida Ballet
3306 Maggie Blvd., Suite B
(407) 849-9948
CentralFloridaBallet.com
Spotlight Dance Studio
Crown Pointe Commerce Park
7751 Kingpointe Pkwy, Suite 102
(407) 370-9411
SpotlightDanceCenter.com