(Posted March 21, 2016)
By Kristy Zurbrick, Madison Editor
Why has Mount Sterling Community Center booked “Dance of the Soul from China” for another performance?
“Because we love them!” proclaimed Annie Tomlinson, the center’s executive director. “After last year’s show, everyone said they hoped they’d come back.”
“Dance of the Soul” is a group of Ohio State University (OSU) students who believe in communicating through dance to bring people together. Their repertoire is diverse, drawing from a variety of cultures and styles.
“Our performance has roots in different cultures with our own creativity. We keep incorporating new elements like drama, music, martial arts and movies into our dance,” said Luyao Zhang, the group’s president.
The troupe will perform at 6:30 p.m. April 9 at the center, 164 E. Main St. Tickets are $4 for adults and $2 for children and can be purchased at the community center, Ben & Joy’s Restaurant, Mount Sterling Public Library and Mount Sterling First United Methodist Church Child Care Center.
“The event offers folks an opportunity for an educational experience from another culture,” Tomlinson said.
Before and after each dance number, troupe members will share information and answer questions. Their presentation includes folk dances representative of various Asian ethnicities, classic Chinese dances from different dynasties, and Indian dances. Mixed in will be contemporary, jazz and hip-hop styles.
“They are so joyful,” Tomlinson said of “Dance of the Soul.” “Their costumes are beautiful and their dancing is beautiful.”
The group has added more male students to its roster since last year, as well as several new numbers. In addition to performing, the troupe hosts multi-cultural carnivals and dance workshops on the OSU campus and raises money for charitable causes here and abroad.
Proceeds from their performance in Mount Sterling go toward the center’s annual laser light show, set for June 11 as part of the new Community Days Festival, set for June 9-11 and sponsored by various organizations and businesses in the village.
For more about the “Dance of the Soul” event, call the Mount Sterling Community Center at (740) 869-2453.
