Ballet school plans an evening of dance

March 3, 2016 at 12:05a.m.

By GUY D’ASTOLFO

YOUNGSTOWN

Ballet Western Reserve company dancers are bringing back some bygone eras of American pop culture.

They have created a series of short performances in the style of several decades as the centerpiece of “Building Art” – the downtown dance school’s annual fundraiser.

This year’s event, appropriately titled “Decades,” will be Saturday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the school, which is in the Morley Building, 218 W. Boardman St.

“Decades” also will show off the facility and its dancers in a relaxed evening that will feature food by Youngstown Crab Company, Barry Dyngle’s and Overture restaurants. Admission is $25 ($15 for students) at the door or in advance by calling 330-744-1934.

Proceeds will go toward the building’s upkeep, including a new furnace, dance flooring and sound equipment.

Valley vocalist and theater professional Jimmy McClellan will emcee the evening. Guests will be able to tour the facility and catch the performances – which will be repeated throughout the evening – at their own pace.

The six “Decades” dances – each about five minutes long – were designed and choreographed by BWR dancers and will include every style of dance that the school teaches: jazz, tap, ballet and modern.

The decades will be: the 1920s, the 1940s (a spin on the song “Playmate”), the 1950s (from the musical “On the Town”), the 1970s (inspired by the band Journey, with period clothing), the 1980s (inspired by the band Flock of Seagulls), and the 1990s (inspired by Erykah Badu).

Another original dance that evening will be a jazz piece choreographed by Natalia Lepore Hagan, an alumni of BWR.

Hagan is currently part of the national touring production of “42nd Street,” which will come to Akron’s E.J. Thomas Hall on May 10 and 11.

Purple Cat Productions, the musical education arm of the agency that serves adults with disabilities, also will perform at Saturday’s event.

Purple Cat became a tenant of BWR last year, occupying the third floor of the Morley Building, which once housed the Oakland Center for the Arts. It is considering expanding to the second floor as well, said Sabrina Shapiro, president of the BWR board of directors.

The evening also will include an exhibition of photography and works by Youngstown artist Terry Fetchet.