Orcas dancers to perform this weekend

Orcas Island dancers and choreographers mount the Orcas Center stage this weekend as the Community Dance Concert returns.

Laura Ludwig, organizer for the event, will be performing in several numbers. She and Maria Bullock dance a dramatic and beautiful tango. Ludwig’s background is in a variety of dance genres, with much of their experience self-taught. Bullock , who was in Poland three years ago, had the opportunity to study tango more intensively. The two friends switch leads throughout the Argentinian dance.

Rene Sturk returns to the stage as part of a trio performing an African/modern piece. Later in the program, Sturk returns to perform a flamenco piece.

Anne Ha, yoga instructor, dances a lyrical, emotional solo that shows a beautiful crossover into dancing.

Maria Bullock and Lerner Limbach perform with incredible high energy in a salsa piece, which is Limbach’s specialty.

The centerpiece of the performance is a long piece, choreographed by Hannah Alex-Glasser entitled, “Women Dancing.” Glasser is joined by Carolyn Cruso and Ludgwig in seven ‘movements’ which depict women in their maturity. “Women Dancing” is a collaborative work, says Glasser, who perceived the concept and directs the dancers, although much of the work is improvisational.

“’Women Dancing’ is a departure for me as it is open-ended and so much more collaborative. We’ve been working on it for awhile, since last spring,” says Glasser.

The piece is her first choreographed work in 20 years, although Glasser has an extensive history as a professional dancer and choreographer, and returns to the dance boards after a two-decade retirement, during which she has raised two children and pursued a career as a clay sculptor. “She is such a talented asset to our community, both as an artist, performer, and teacher!” says Ludwig. “‘Women dancing’ is a real journey and an interesting and beautiful work.”

Both Ludwig and Cruso say they are delighted to have dance “come back into my life,” after past study, mostly in modern dance.

Glasser hopes to do more collaborative dances in the future. She echoes the statements of Cruso and Ludwig, saying, “I came to Orcas and started dancing again.”

Jay Kimball plays the Lakota courting flute in addition to recorded music of Cruso and other artists accompanying this piece. Kimball says that what is notable for him in this experience is “the non-traditional playing of the instrument, with surprising sounds that push the limits.” He has played flute and percussion in various other modern dance experiences and finds they recreate a “vibrant and modern world that’s exciting to explore.” During some of “Women Dancing,” only silence accompanies the dancers.

This year’s Community Dance Concert offers variety and excitement from the experienced and talented choreographers and dancers who represent the dance community here on the island.

Performances are Friday, Nov. 14 and Saturday, Nov. 15 at 7:30 p.m. at the Orcas Center, all tickets are $10, available at www.orcascenter.org, 376-2281, or at the box office, Weds. through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m.

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