Dancers salute the movies

ARLINGTON — Classics from the silver screen will be honored by the Star Energy Performing Company of the Arlington School of Dance at its spring recital June 6 and 7 at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center at Arlington High School.

ARLINGTON — Classics from the silver screen will be honored by the Star Energy Performing Company of the Arlington School of Dance at its spring recital June 6 and 7 at the Byrnes Performing Arts Center at Arlington High School.

Movie scores included in the program are “Disney’s High School Musical,” “Little Mermaid,” “Toy Story,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “The Sting,” “American Graffiti,” “Flashdance,” “Step Up” and “Enchanted,” according to the dance school’s director, Becky Oesch.

Arlington High School students Cara Condon, Kaitlynn Cory, Nichole Kellogg, Ryann Lewis, Allie Moses, Victoria Parker, Megan Smith, April Penix and Ayana Robinson, who are long-time students of dance at Arlington School of Dance, will perform a fun and energetic number, “Easin’ On Down the Road” from “The Wiz.”

“Extra special highlights of the show this year are performances by two very talented high school students,” Oesch said.

AHS senior Jessica Safford will sing “Many a New Day” from the movie “Oklahoma” accompanied by pianist Patti McElroy and AHS sophomore Eric McElroy will play his own composition, “Dance For Solo Piano.” (McElroy also be offering his own private recital at 7:30 p.m. Sunday, June 8 at the Arlington United Church with his sister, Coleen McElroy, who will begin at 6:30 p.m.)

To introduce Safford’s tribute to “Oklahoma,” ASD dance instructor for the past 16 years, Dean Speer will sing “Oh What a Beautiful Morning.”

Along with ballet and modern dance the show includes pointe, jazz, hip hop and lyrical with a special tap number to a medley of songs from the movie “Happy Feet,” when the stage will be filled with 19 tappers including guest dancers from the senior level of students.

The senior level dancers, ages 8 and up, are featured in the main recitals starting at 7 p.m., Friday, June 6 at 6 p.m. and at 7 p.m. Saturday, June 7.

The junior level students (ages 3-7) will show off their talent at 3 p.m. Saturday, June 7.

“The Star Energy group performs throughout the year at a variety of venues,” Oesch said.

“They are now gearing up to perform at Silverwood Theme Park in Idaho and are excited to perform some of their dances for the local audience,” she said.

To help raise money for the trip, the group is hosting an ice cream social at the junior show and refreshments at the senior show.

“The audience will also have the opportunity to win some great raffle items created by the students,” Oesch added.

Raffle items include a spa basket, beach basket, garden basket, a “go green” basket and more. Raffle tickets are a dollar each.

Admission is $7 per person and free for kids 5 and younger. Tickets are available at the dance school on Third Street and French Avenue in downtown Arlington and at the door of BPAC.

For information about the school of dance call 360-435-4541 or visit the Web site at www.arlingtondance.com.