This Valentine’s Day treat your sweetheart to a force to be reckoned with. A little bit provocative, but quite powerful, the newly-formed Gale Force Dance — Frankfort’s first ever professional dance troupe — will present two performances of “Beautiful Bodies.”
The 10 female and one male dancers, ranging in age from their early 20s to 60-ish, will perform a wide variety of dances to familiar love songs, in a show that is certain to entertain both seasons and novice dance lovers.
“We’re aiming to create a show that is easy and pleasant to watch. Something everyone can completely understand,” said Shannon Gale, the founder and name behind the professional troupe.
Gale is hoping this performance, which will feature dancers of all shapes, sizes and ages, will introduce contemporary and modern dance, as well as the more traditional tap and ballet, to a broader audience.
“Frankfort has not developed a dance-loving audience, as in larger cities,” said Gale, who is also the owner of the Frankfort School of Ballet and Vibrant Life Holistic Healing Center on the corner of Broadway and St. Clair streets.
Set to take place at the historic Grand Theatre, the performance, which will feature around 20 popular love songs such as Norah Jones’ “Turn Me On” and Bruno Mars’ “Just the way You Are,” will be offered at 5:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Feb. 14 and are expected to last about an hour and 20 minutes. This was by design so couples can take in the show before or after a romantic dinner out, Gale said, stressing that the performance is for adults.
“We’ll be selling wine and beer,” she explained. “It’s Valentine’s Day, if the men are willing to come for their women, we want them to have fun.”
Gale Force Dance is divided into three companies — A, B and C. Company A, which is comprised of older, exquisite dancers with technique and experience, includes Angelito Anacan, EveMarie Bessenbach, Katrina Goulbourne, Avivah Kissick, Dorothy Smith and Claire Wolfe. The two-women Company B, Kacey Hulker and Abby Rank, are veterans who have not yet acquired professional experience.
Company C, made up of a trio who have performed with troupes across the country and have earned soloist opportunities, includes Kathy Gale, Kay Kissick and Gale.
“There will be a good variety of dancers on stage,” Gale stated, adding that the numbers were choreographed by different performers and while each has its own personality, they all t in the theme of love and beauty.
Rehearsals have gotten more strenuous as the “Beautiful Bodies” date at the Grand approaches. The 11 dancers have had to prepare their bodies and build stamina.
“The hardest thing is you are doing extraordinary things with your body and you have to make it look easy, do it with a smile on your face and without breathing hard,” she explained.
But dancers, which are both artists and athletes, are willing to sacri ce themselves for their passion.
“Studies say dancers have the highest pain tolerance and threshold of any other athlete,” Gale remarked. “Our bodies are our artistic masterpieces.” The dancers are hoping to sell out the 400-seat main oor at the Grand.
If so, additional box seating will become available.
To reserve tickets to “Beautiful Bodies” call 502-226-6443 or email info@frankfortballet.com.
