Date: Fri 18-Jun-1999

Publication: Bee

Author: SHANNO

Quick Words:

Dance-Etc-Davies

Full Text:

Dance, Etc. Kept Its Audience Jumpin'

(with cuts)

The routines were ready, and so were the dancers, when students of the

Newtown-based dance and gymnastics school Dance, Etc presented its summer

recital on Sunday, June 6. A 3 pm performance was held at Newtown High School,

and just under 30 routines were offered by the students of all ages and dance

levels.

"This Joint Is Jumpin'" was the theme of this year's recital, and the music

that was chosen for the routines certainly kept the dancers busy and the

audience's collective toes tapping. Dancers performed groovy numbers to the

likes of "Addams Groove," boogie woogie-influenced numbers with "Chattanooga

Choo Choo" and "Boogie Woogie Bugle Boy" as their musical accompaniment, and

works to brand-new songs like Brian Setzer Orchestra's updated "Jump Jive an'

Wail," "Blue Suit Boogie" by the group Indigo Swing, and even a number to

"Rugrats Rap."

Samantha Davies, an assistant dance instructor at the school, earned a solo

performance, which she danced to the Shania Twain song "From This Moment."

One of the afternoon's biggest highlights, according to Dance, Etc owner and

instructor Lynda Davies, was the Janet Jackson production number towards the

closing of the show. Dancers performed to a medley of Jackson's songs

including "Rhythm Nation," "If," "Throb," "Nasty Boy" and "Together Again."

Guest choreographer Cheryl Lynn Wirth, of Stratford, choreographed a lyrical

dance for some of the teen dancers, called "Secret Garden," which Ms Davies

said the audience "loved."

In addition to Mrs Davis, the school's owner/instructors include Anna

Ferrarese and Judy Crane. The dance instructor faculty consists of Julie

Peterson, Katie MacKnight, Rebecca McDonald and Jessica Clark, in addition to

the aforementioned Ms Davies as an assistant instructor.

The school's gymnastics instructors are Amy Mangold, Rebecca McDonald, Becky

Crane and Caitlin Decosta, with assistant instructors Jayme Crane, Colleen

Gugino and Alyssa Vonoy.