MERCED -- Dancers of all ages performed routines from a broad array of styles, traditions and cultures Saturday during "Dance Kaleidoscope," an annual event showcasing the art of rhythmic movement to music.
The event, held at the Merced College Theater, showcased dancers from seven different area dance schools: Denisa's School of Dance, Merced Academy of Dance, Belly Dance Merced, Mariposa Academy of the Performing Arts, South Pacific Dance Company, Steps Dance Studio and The Dancers' Studio.
Traditional ballet pieces were performed, such as scenes from "Flower Festival in Genzano," performed by the Mariposa Academy of Performing Arts. Creative pieces such as "Dark Paradise" depicted a dream scene to the music of pop artist Lana Del Rey.
Denisa's School of Dance performed "Rhapsody in Red" to shifting red lights, while their youngest dancers performed a hip-hop dance routine called "Outta Your Mind."
One of the crowd favorites was performed by Denisa's School of Dance's veteran dancers, dressed as grandmothers with walkers to the popular song "Sometimes I Get a Good Feeling."
At one point during the performance, the lights went down and neon lights on the walkers turned on.
"We definitely stepped it up this year," said Debbie Morimoto, 50, of Merced, who danced as one of the grandmothers in the routine.
Sponsored by the Merced Dance Teachers Cooperative and Merced College, the event allows the public to see the options that are available locally for dance studios.
The event started more than 20 years ago. Funds raised during the event will go toward scholarships for dance students.
Chris Winterfeldt can be reached at cwinterfeldt@mercedsunstar.com.
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