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Olympiad dances reflect the West
By Peter Thunell
Deseret News staff writer
Those seeking a taste of the American West could take in a cowboy poetry reading, head for a rodeo, attend any number of art exhibitions or go to the ballet.
That's right, the ballet.
The American Folk Ballet performs its unique style of ballet Tuesday, Feb. 19, at 8 p.m. in the Capitol Theatre. And for director Robert Fass, the Cultural Olympiad invitation for his group to perform made sense. "The performance we are doing really captures the spirit of the pioneers as they founded the West," Fass said. "Also, because we are based out of Cedar City, we are a part of the West, too."
Although the group's dancing is based on classical ballet, Fass says, "it's as far from the Nutcracker as you can get."
The dances were conceived and choreographed by the late Burch Mann, who founded the dance company in 1965 in Los Angeles. Fass said that to create her style, Mann looked to America's roots and folk history.
"Dance was a vital part of the lives and recreation of the old West," Fass said. "Burch's pieces are able to show the hardships, as well as the happy times, of the pioneers."
Mann created the style of dance after some rancher relatives saw a touring show she was in and thought "it was the funniest thing they had ever seen, especially the men in tights." Mann then decided to create a ballet company that could be appreciated by a wider base of people.
At the time, Mann said, "In creating the American Folk Ballet, I have thrown out none of the discipline and technique of classical dance; merely added to the vocabulary. . . . I use the word 'folk' as a mark of the dignity and worth of the individual living record of a people."
Some of the dances that will be performed for the Cultural Olympiad performance include "Moon of the Falling Leaves," which captures the spirit of the Native Americans; "Memories of Scotia," a dance that reflects the toughness and determination of the Scottish immigrants; and "Unfenced Land," which shows man's life on the open plains.
One number, Fass said, is especially appropriate for the Winter Games: "Skating on Blue Pond" shows how the pioneers would wait until the water froze over so they could skate.
Performing for a world audience is hardly something new for this dance company. It has toured all over the world, and even played the role of cultural diplomat during a tour of the Soviet Union in 1991, before the fall of communism. The tour was made into a public-television special "Distance Dance."
American Folk Ballet consists of 20 dancers, but it also includes four singers and a narrator. Fass said the singers and narrator are important, as they add to the storytelling nature of the group.
For Fass, the themes touched upon transcend the time periods they portray. "My personal reaction to what we are doing is that in the wake of Sept. 11, we have seen the spirit of how we deal with hard times and what gets us through," Fass said. "What these dances show is a different time, but the same American spirit of overcoming adversity and problems . . . and enjoying the happy times we have, too."
To purchase tickets for the performance, call 355-2787 or go online to www.saltlake2002.com.
E-mail: pthunell@desnews.com
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February 17, 2002
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