Ron Litteral, Principal of the Salt Lake School for the Performing Arts, affectionately known as SPA, is like a proud parent as he talks about the students and programs at his school. He outlines the many awards and achievements garnered over the last 13 years while emphasizing, “It’s not about the awards, but what they learn in the process. We teach them all to do the … [Read more...]
Das Energi 2015
This month, good vibes, quite literally, come to Salt Lake. On August 15th, V2 Presents brings the 4th annual Das Energi Festival to the Great Saltair and celebrates the expression of positive energy through music and dance. This one-day only, 18+ event features multiple stages and performances that defy conventional labels and blur the lines between art forms. (Attendees 21 … [Read more...]
Dancing the Hula from Hawaii to West Valley
At the heart of hula is this simple message: Aloha i kekahi i ke kakahi--love one another. This dance form is as ancient as myth and as modern as a Wednesday night dance class in West Valley City. There are no palm trees, sandy beaches or tropical breezes, but when dancers start to move to the sound of ukulele chords, it is easy to envision the magic of the islands. Hula t … [Read more...]
Utah Ballroom Dancing
Ok, everybody line up. Left foot forward. Good! Now right. And, slow...slow; quick-quick. That’s the foxtrot!” Margene Anderson is the queen of Utah ballroom dancing. She has taught thousands of Utah couples how to waltz, hustle and quickstep through their lives. “Nobody wants to look like a fool,especially not in front of a bunch of other people.” Margene understands how … [Read more...]
Bboy Society: Not Your Usual Utah Pop & Lock
At open practice today, Josh tells me he’s working on power. That means advanced moves such as headspins and flares. He practices alongside 11 year-old Noah who is getting feedback from the older guys on his cracker-jack. These terms describe amazing acrobatic moves that dancers perform on city streets. Joshua “Text” Perkins, co-founder of the Bboy Federation, aka the “Fed,” … [Read more...]