By Amy Baird
Christmas Around the World is a
vibrant, lively celebration of Christmas expressed through the music and dance
of countries around the world. The audience may be sitting in the Marriott Center at Brigham Young University but they get
to peek in on celebrations in 16 different countries from Scotland to
Indonesia.
The first Christmas Around the World was presented in 1960. Since then, it has become a favorite holiday tradition for many. Christmas Around the World is an elaborate production with over 200 dancers and musicians. The dancers include the International Folk Dance Ensemble as well as the Tier II Ensemble and various folk dances classes. This group of dancers come together to represent various cultures and peoples.
Artistic Director Jeanette Geslison crafted a spectacular show based on the theme “A Light in the Window.” The dances and narration focused on how we all are immigrants in one way or another. Each person brings something unique and beautiful to the United States. The show starts with a rousing musical number with individual groups in their traditional costumes carrying suitcases and dancing to traditional Christmas songs. A modern group of young adults enters the stage and takes a selfie and then flosses. Each group dances and then they dance together. Geslison’s choreography captures how all of us are descendants of those who came as immigrants. We all have our different cultures but we come together to celebrate.
One of the highlights of the performance is the live music provided by the BYU Mountain Strings group directed by Mark Geslison. From toe tapping bluegrass and square dance music to traditional Polish music to Irish music from Riverdance, they perform a wide range of pieces. The crowd favorite was Trans-Siberian Orchestra’s arrangement of “Carol of the Bells” complete with electric guitars.
Something that makes Christmas Around the World unique is the authenticity of the dances performed. This year, guest director I Nyoman Windha and guest dance instructor I Gusti Agung Warsiki lead the International Folk Dance Ensemble as they perform Balinese gamelan. Gamelan is an orchestra with percussion instruments including xylophones, cymbals, drums, and gongs. The dancers perform Nyoman Windha under the direction of I Nyoman Windha. The dancers follow I Gusti Agung Warsiki and perform a traditional Balinese dance.
The traditional dances become more engaging thanks to theatrical enhancements. In Riverdance, the stage is covered with fog as lights sparkle on the floor creating a dreamlike atmosphere. Mountain Strings plays the strains of Riverdance as theAll these herbs are properly blended to revitalize the buy levitra professional reproductive organs and helps to gain more blood to the genitals during sexual arousal. It is fit for men and women both and has comprehensive health benefits if administered daily. cheap levitra prescription unica-web.com Additionally, the weakness is also cured buy tadalafil mastercard and vitality is important. This often creates an environment of ambiguity and confusion in an organisation, leading to frustration among online viagra employees, especially top performers. dancers leap on to the stage.
The dancers
bring the stage to life with their enthusiastic, dramatic facial expressions
and mannerisms. Many of the dances have stories that engage the audience. The
most humorous is the fight that breaks out in the middle of the German dance, “Praxplattler and Untersteirer
Landler”. As the dancers are doing the slap dance routines, they start to
accidentally hit each other which then leads to a full on slow-motion brawl. In
the middle of the English rapper sword dance, two observers try to join the
dance with humorous results.
The precision and talent of the International Folk Dance Ensemble is best shown in the Indonesian dance Saman. The dance begins with the dancers kneeling beating a rhythm with their hands. They scoot on their knees to face each other and swing their arms around while clapping. Toward the end, they form two long lines with linked arms. They rise around each other which makes it appear like they are an endless string of people sweeping to the front. The program describes it as the “dance of a thousand hands.”
BYU Men’s Choir joins the company for the Welsh performance “Inside Out and Kickin’”. The choir directed by Roaslind Hall becomes an interactive part of the performance as choir members leave the choir, take off their jackets, and steal dance partners to join the dance. The surprise of the evening though was when Rosalind Hall joined in the dance, ultimately being thrown in the air.
Another beautiful performance is the Chinese dance “The Children of Snow Mountain”. The dancers form a mountain by positioning themselves on top of each other. As the music starts, a couple leaves the mountain and starts walking to the front of the stage. Other couples follow and they dance a traditional dance which then transitions into a modern dance.
Christmas Around the World is an enchanting trip around the globe experiencing the traditions of different countries and cultures. The dancers’ enthusiasm and excitement is catching. The performances are punctuated with gasps of delight and laughter as the dancers showcase their skill. Each dance has something exceptional about it that will grab your attention. Make Christmas Around the World part of your holiday traditions.
BYU Department of Dance Presents Christmas Around the World.
Marriott Center at Brigham Young University, 701 East University Parkway, Provo, Utah 84604
December 6-7 2019, 7:30 PM
Tickets: $9-$22
BYU Dance Webpage
BYU International Folk Dance Ensemble
BYU Folk Dance Facebook Page
BYU Mountain Strings Facebook Page
BYU Men’s Chorus Facebook Page
BYU Folk Dance Facebook Page
BYU Department of Dance Facebook Page
Christmas Around the World Event Page
0 Comments