A Choose Your Own Dance Adventure

National Dance Day at the REACH
Featuring "Fela! The Concert"
Main Stage at the REACH
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts
Washington, D.C.
September 21, 2019

In December of 2018, Netflix released a new interactive film called "Bandersnatch." The psychological thriller was inspired by choose-your-own-adventure novels, requiring the viewer to make decisions throughout the movie that fundamentally altered the plot of the story. This unusual type of viewing experience gained popularity rather quickly, as each person who encountered the film discovered a different story line, experiencing a separate chain of events. The Kennedy Center's National Dance Day celebration was — in many ways — the "Bandersnatch" of dance programming. Countless performances, classes, and informational events were free and open to everyone. With so many visual spectacles and music coming from just about every direction, this National Dance Day was not about being impressed by a single professional performance company. Alternatively, the festivities centered around how much dance one could see, learn about, and practice all in a single day.

The Kennedy Center honored National Dance Day this year using the full potential of the REACH — the first-ever expansion of the nation's premier performing arts center. The day featured a variety of events with an emphasis on interactive and educational opportunities for all ages and levels of ability. Those who attended came from a diverse set of backgrounds; all joined by their love for dance. Some snapshots from the day included: a little girl in leggings and a high bun practicing handstands near the crest of a grassy hill on the REACH campus, a young boy asking New York City Ballet principal Tiler Peck what she eats to fuel her body for rehearsal, and master classes which presented an array of topics from an introduction to salsa technique to dance as a form of Parkinson's therapy.

The brand-new REACH space made all these moments easy to observe and enjoy. Its architectural design offered a relatively unobstructed view across the grounds, and large windows along the top floor of the Skylight Pavilion provided access to sneak a peek of open rehearsals and workshops. While the master classes took place indoors, performances and demonstrations were held mainly outside, enabling as many patrons as possible the opportunity to see the shows. (Although all events were free and open to the public, some rooms at the REACH must adhere to occupancy restrictions.)

Early that evening, Lisa Traiger, a DC arts journalist and dance critic, hosted an interactive lecture that explored D.C. dance history through seven key artists — all of whom made impactful contributions to the local dance landscape. The event included demonstrations by conservatory students from the Jones Haywood School of Dance, The Washington Ballet, and Melvin Deal's African Heritage Dancers and Drummers, among others.

Later on, one of the main highlights of the evening programming was "Fela! The Concert," an energy-packed performance full of vigorous motion and rousing rhythms. This concert adaptation of the Tony Award®-winning Broadway musical celebrates the life and music of the industrious Nigerian musician Fela Kuti, best known for his pioneering work in the genre that would become known as Afrobeat. Kuti revolutionized the Nigerian music scene, going on to gain international popularity for his unique style melding traditional African music with American jazz and funk. His work embodies a broad emotional range prompted by his own social and political involvement as a human rights activist. 

The cast — consisting of singers, dancers, and musicians — brought Kuti's songs to life on the REACH's main stage, performing some of his most lauded hits like "Water No Get Enemy" and "Zombie." The performers bounced and jived with great enthusiasm and spirit. In fact, some of the men's footwork was so fast, I remain mystified as to how they managed it. Furthermore, audience participation was at the forefront of the performance. Lead vocalist Duain Richmond encouraged all in attendance to stand up and sing aloud to engage in the music. People throughout the venue swayed to the electrifying twang of the omnipotent bass, from dedicated viewers occupying the front row to those who had just arrived near the rear of the gathering. At one point, Richmond invited a large group from the audience to join him and the cast, saying they needed more dancers to "set the stage on fire." Rest assured, there were no pyrotechnics involved in the show, but the crowd's interest and delight in participating through dance was a treat to witness.“Fela! The Concert” was a wonderful finale to National Dance Day since the show was dedicated to a significant social figure who centered his career around the power of art, music, and dance.

While I was not able to see every event at this festival packed to the brim with programming, I got to pick and choose what I wished to see and experience, allowing my interests to guide my journey. In a matter of just a couple hours, I witnessed multiple master classes, a dance history demonstration, and a live concert — what better way to celebrate a national day of dance?

copyright © 2019 by Arielle Ostry