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Don’t Miss Pacific Ballroom Dance’s Return to the Stage [VIDEO]

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The ten performing teams at Pacific Ballroom Dance (PBD) will perform before a live theater audience for the first time since the pandemic began, nearly fifteen months ago. The Renton Ikea Performing Arts Center will be filled at 50% capacity with tickets sold in pods of 2, 4, or 6 for four showtimes: Thursday, June 17th and Friday, June 18th at 5:30 and 8:00 pm.

Two couples dance one a ballroom floor, the front couple is captured mid-spin. The female's long pony tail extends out as she turns.
7th grade dancer Cody Bennion and Maryn Longhurst | Photo by Erin Jones

The entire company of dancers, ages three to adult, will perform a variety of latin and ballroom dance pieces in the show. “I am definitely excited to be having a full in person concert,” said junior high dancer Maryn Longhurst. “We had two virtual concerts, and we just went to a location got into costume, filmed and changing back out. Not much to it. But when we have in-person concerts we get to have changing rooms, perform in front of a live audience, and be backstage and in the wings. Those are some of the things that makes performing so exciting!” said Maryn.

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After the shut-down in March last year, PBD students began rehearsing virtually in their homes, then in the studio in small pods wearing masks, then outside in the rain, and finally back into the studio. “The hardest thing for me during team and syllabus classes was we didn’t get to connect with teammates like we did before,” said Maryn. “We had to be split up into pods and if someone wasn’t in your pod you had to stay 6 feet away from them at all times. It made it really hard to get to know people I didn’t know before which is one of the things I always look forward to in team.”

Take the 4 minutes and watch the video below. Not only is it worth it, it’ll give your brain a much needed break.

“August’s Rhapsody” – Pacific Ballroom Dance – Youth Show Team from Pacific Ballroom Dance 

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“I get emotional just thinking about seeing dancers on the stage again,” said parent Amberlyn Jones. “It means so much to see ‘in person’ the fruit of all the sacrifice and hard work these kids have put in this year.”

Jennifer Richardson, whose two sons dance at PBD added, “dance has been the one bright light and our only real social tie throughout this pandemic. I credit PBD for giving us some sense of normality and keeping my boys mental health up.”

Two ballroom dancers embrace with boxed posture. The female of the pair wears a white dress with oversized bell sleeves that drape over the pair.
High school dancers Kiara Mecham and Lucas Fletcher | Photo by Jennifer Wilcox

“’Simple + True,’ the theme of our concert, was inspired by the experiences of a dance season like no other,” said Artistic Director Katie Mecham. As we danced our way through a year of change and adjustments, we were reminded that the core of our program is the relationships we build while dancing together. It’s as simple as that. It’s about the people, the connections, and what we go through together. We are excited to share that story with you as our dancers present ‘Simple + True.’”

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About Pacific Ballroom Dance:

Pacific Ballroom Dance (PBD) began in 1994 as a small, local youth club with a goal to provide young teens with the opportunity to build respectful social skills, self-esteem, fitness and teamwork. In 2003, PBD became a 501c3 non-profit organization with a mission to build character in youth by providing a positive ballroom dance experience. Today, PBD is a thriving youth dance education studio based in Auburn, Washington, serving more than 1000 students annually from age 10-18 from throughout the Puget Sound area.

Two couples wearing vibrant costumes dance together in two rows
Elementary dancers Luke Eugenio and Mabel Dickson (front) and Will and Eve Eugenio and Marcus Swanson. (Back) | photo by Jennifer Wilcox

The above is a press release from Pacific Ballroom Dance. The Auburn Examiner has not independently verified its content. 

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