By Mark Ambrogi
Dance Kaleidoscope’s summer show will transport the audience to France.
“It’s like traveling back in time to this ideal Paris cafe,” said Paul Hansen, the contemporary dance company’s marketing director. “It’s a great way to feel you’ve had a little bit of international travel for a couple of hours while having a stay-cation.”
Dance Kaleidoscope will present PIAF Plus at The Tarkington at The Center for the Performing Arts in Carmel. The performances will be at 8 p.m. Aug. 5 and 2:30 p.m. Aug. 6.
“It’s one of my personal favorites, it’s all French music,” Hansen said.
The first act is “Frère Jacques,” with the music of Jacques Brel.
“He was this nightclub composer so all these songs are gritty,” Hansen said. “It’s gritty, clever and inspiring. David Hochoy, the company’s choreographer and artistic director, does such a good job matching the wit and give the dancers these beautiful and athletic things to do. They match the songs so well. It’s feels like Paris in the 1950s or ‘60s with the costumes they wear. It’s gorgeous and uplifting and carries you into intermission. Act two is phenomenal because it’s all music from Edith Piaf.”
Piaf was a French cabaret singer, who died in 1963 at age 47. She was known as “The Little Sparrow.”
“You don’t have to understand the words of her songs to feel the passion in her singing,” Hansen said. “The dancers certainly embody the passion of her music. You can her music live through our dancers.”
Hansen said Hochoy has cast many of the company’s younger dancers in solo and prime spots.
“It gives them the opportunity to experience performing lead roles and grow their technique and show what they are made of, so that’s great for the dancers,” Hansen said. “It’s great for David to see what these dancers can do and it’s fantastic for audiences.”
For more, visit thecenterpresents.org.
