AROUND THE PARK AGAIN by Sharon Lee Tegler
Brought to you by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu & Tai Chi
and Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services
The third of four performances of The Dance Center of Severna Park’s 2023 Recital at the Annapolis High School auditorium held Sunday afternoon was as lovely as it was entertaining.
Arriving at Annapolis High with time to spare and arms full of bouquets, hundreds of proud parents created a buzz of excitement as they swept into the auditorium. Backstage, the excitement level was higher as teachers and studio assistants helped with students’ costumes, and dancers scheduled for the first number warmed up.
While students’ parents, grandparents, siblings and friends filled the seats, some of the littlest attendees scooted away and merrily twirled about.
In keeping with the recital’s theme, Around Town, the program began with the opening notes of the song ” “Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood” by Fred Rogers followed by a welcome from the dance center’s director Kellie Greer.
From the youngest dancers to the oldest, the performers carried the theme through every number. An opening routine meant to represent The Dance Center of Severna Park began with a sea of pink exploding onto the stage. The innovative choreography allowed dancers from varied age groups and classes to flow with the tones and tempos of a medley of songs. (They were a small sampling of the more than 200 students enrolled in regular classes.)
students learn at The Dance Center of Severna Park.
Minutes later, a class of 3-year-olds amazed the audience as they danced the recital’s second number to composer Ede Poldini’s “Poupee Valsante” in honor of the notional Town Garden Store. Seated in a circle, the tiny dancers had stretched forward till the flower petals on their heads touched the floor. Then, as if awakening blossoms, they sat up, stretched, rose to their feet and moved in graceful circles, reaching toward the sun on their toes. As they ended the dance, they went down on one knee as if flowers closing their petals at day’s end.
As it did between each number, the stage went dark. Then, the beat picked up as piano accompanist Susan Wincek began the tune “Crocodile Rock” and the spotlights fell on a bevy of 4 and 5-year-olds who’d donned tap shoes for the dance sequence titled The Zoo.
Appearing onstage one at a time till there were seven, Viera Galliford, Julia Jones, Isabelle Maki, Mamie O’Malley, Sophia Parfitt, Miriam Warzoha and Fiona Frederick tapped their way merrily through the tune while keeping an eye on their teacher who directed them from below with hand signals.
The stage again darkened and music from the ballet “Swan Lake” began as the dance sequence titled Butterfly Garden at Quiet Waters began with one tiny dancer floating out of the darkness with butterfly wings shimmering. Dancers appeared one by one until there were a dozen.
According to director Kellie Greer, all the dance numbers were selected ahead of time and then sponsors (in keeping with the Around Town theme) were sought for some of the segments. The fifth dance sequence was sponsored by Fox First Construction, echoing Geppetto’s trade as a carpenter, and was performed to the music of “Got No Strings” from the movie “Pinocchio”. Taps resounded through the Annapolis High auditorium as a dozen lively second year students portrayed marionettes freed from their strings.
The mood shifted as ethereal notes from a soundtrack of music from the three-act ballet “Jewels” created by George Balanchine were heard and the older Star Elite Dancers took the stage. Sponsored by local small business Red Apron Estate Sales & Shoppe, the ballet was beautiful to see performed.
“We always have a high school class at the junior recital so parents and kids can see the possibility of what their child could work toward,” Greer explained. “Our Star Elite group performs the opening number in all recitals and makes special appearances throughout our area.”
It was perhaps fitting that Chris May Realty, which handles properties all over the county, sponsored third-year Introduction to Jazz students as they set their toes a-tapping to “Hit the Road Jack” by Percy Mayfield. A similarly aged group of students sponsored by the Dance Center’s STEAM Adventures Summer Camp 2023 danced a clever piece of choreography to “I Don’t Want to Live on The Moon” – a Jeff Moss original associated with Sesame Street.
Introduction to Jazz students tapped to “Hit the Road Jack” … 
…while a similar group of students danced creative choreography to “I Don’t Want to Live on The Moon”.
There was admittedly a slight pause before the next number representing one of the Town’s favorite recreational areas, Kinder Farm Park. The wait was well worth it as eight 3-year-olds, clad in denim and buttons ‘n bows, galloped their hobbyhorses onto the stage to the rollicking rhythms of “Western Scene” by Irenee Berge.
Astonished that such young dancers could keep their concentration through the long dance number, sing a song midway through and then gallop offstage, the audience responded with thunderous applause, catcalls and whistles.
The lyrical melodies of “Ballet Dancer” by Irene Harrington Young and “Ballroom Whispers” by Louis Gregh combined for a graceful dance sequence featuring seven blossoming ballerinas sponsored by Severna Park retailer Dance Supplies, Etc.
Arranged in groups of three or four, the dancers virtually sparkled in the footlights.
What could have been more perfect than to have Severna Park’s Big Bean coffee shop sponsor the Star Elite Dancer’s tap routine to the recorded soundtrack of “Coffee in a Cardboard Cup” from the Kander and Ebb musical “70, Girls, 70”. They even ended the dance carrying their sponsor’s coffee cups.
An Ice Cream Shop routine featured second year students costumed as sundaes with a cherry on top who danced to the music “How Sweet it Is” from the 1968 film of the same name.
Next came one of the most charming sequences in the recital – the Kavanagh Porter Irish Dance shown in the opening photo. The spirited sequence was performed to Leroy Anderson’s “The Irish Washerwoman” and sponsored by the Kavanagh Porter Academy.
Rounding out the recital were a routine titled Flower Shop and performed to the Ellenberg tune “Fair Flatterer” and the next to last dance sequence that received a rousing round of applause. It was the highly entertaining Franklin Toys sponsored tap number to “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from the movie “Toy Story”.
The Star Elite dancers ended the presentation with a stylish tribute to the Town’s Police Station, then escorted each of the groups that performed onstage for the finale. A very nice tribute was paid to the Dance Center teachers by having them cross the stage to be acknowledged by the audience.
In her closing remarks, Greer thanked all The Dance Center of Severna Park teachers and introduced them from the stage. She also thanked the studio assistants and volunteers who helped make the recital such a success. She especially wanted to extend her gratitude to accompanist Susan Wincek who played for almost every number for multiple dress rehearsals and performances. Lastly, she thanked Annapolis High School for the use of their beautiful theater and for being wonderful to work with.
The recital ended with all of the students singing the song “A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood”.
St. Martin’s Cardboard Boat Race as competitive as ever
Though not able to attend this fun event ourselves, we received news on the outcome of St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal School’s 2023 Cardboard Boat Race from Director of Development Christine Hickey.
“Our 7th-grade St. Martin’s Mustangs had great weather on Monday, May 22 for our annual Cardboard Boat Race on the Severn River,” Hickey said. “Students worked in teams for several months learning to calculate buoyancy and proper vessel design and using only cardboard and duct tape. “
Hickey added that, while the 7th-graders competed in the timed races, middle school students and staff cheered them on from the shore.
Three 7th grade teams completed the course without sinking. Winners were ranked by fastest time to complete the race afloat. The first-place winners were two intrepid young ladies, Chole and Klara, who did some mighty fine duct-taping.
Myles and Roman crossed the finish line a mere 34 seconds later.
Racing all out in almost a Dead Heat, Dominic and Matthew finished third four seconds later at 2 minutes and 59 seconds.
Eighth-graders participated by constructing observation boats used to watch the race from the water. For more information on St. Martin’s-in-the-Field Episcopal School, visit St. Martins Episcopal Preschool, Elementary, Middle School in Maryland (stmartinsmd.org)
The Around The Park Again column is brought to you this week by Jing Ying Institute of Kung Fu and Tai Chi at 1195 Baltimore Annapolis Blvd. – For over two decades providing martial arts training that improves cardio-vascular health, strength and flexibility while reducing stress. Jing Ying is again bringing Tai Chi to the Severna Park Community Center.)
and by Lean On Dee Senior Home Care Services at 815 Ritchie Hwy., Suite 206 – When you need someone to lean on, Lean On Dee. Their experienced team of personal care management specialists and friendly companions provide high quality consistent care.
