May 08, 2008 07:44 pm
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By Seth Putnam
news@joplinglobe.com
Dancers will glide across the floor as melodic vocal tones float through the air Saturday in Memorial Hall.
The Midwest Regional Ballet will partner with The Musick Studio to produce “An Evening of the Arts” on Saturday at Memorial Hall. The event will begin with a pre-show hors d’oeuvres reception at 6:30 p.m., with the performance at 7 p.m.
The evening will feature a compilation of songs from various Broadway shows and original choreography in ballet, hip hop, jazz and contemporary dance by Kaye Lewis, artistic director of the ballet.
All proceeds from the event will go to the local chapter of the Children’s Miracle Network (CMN), a non-profit organization that provides support for children who are ill or underprivileged.
Lewis said that she first had the idea to partner with the organization while she was listening to the radio.
“I was driving out of town and heard a commercial for Children’s Miracle Network on the radio and literally had to pull over to the side of the road and cry,” she said. “I train my dancers to not only be performers but also to be humans and understand that there are children in the world who would give anything in the world to be able to get up on stage and dance.”
As part of the outreach to CMN, families with children involved with the organization will attend free of charge.
“It can be hard for them to get out of the house, so this night is for them,” Lewis said.
This is the 11th season that the Midwest Regional Ballet has been performing. Directed by Lewis, the group has won several awards, including 11 first places at the Dance America Dance Olympus competition in Tulsa, Okla. Nine of her dancers have transitioned into the field of professional dancing.
During the Christmas season, the troupe participated in “The Snow Queen” in Branson as part of a special invitation from the Royal Dance Theatre of New York, which hosted the event.
In November, the Midwest Regional Ballet will perform “The Nutcracker” in partnership with the Southeast Kansas Symphony.
Lewis said that in the two months they have been rehearsing for “Evening of the Arts,” her dancers have always exceeded her expectations.
“As in any production, the thing that touches me the most is seeing them reach the goals I set for them,” she said. “It’s like watching your children grow. You see them change become productive members of our community.”
Students from the Musick Studio have won awards in both regional and national competitions. Additionally, they have toured in Europe with the Kansas City Opera.
Saturday’s show is appropriate for all ages, featuring serious, emotional and comedic numbers.
Tickets for the performance are $10 and include the reception. They may be purchased at the door or in advance by contacting Lewis at (417) 439-9549.
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