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Forty Steps Dance Troupe brings talents to Swampscott

By Michele Durgin

SWAMPSCOTT— The Forty Steps Dance Troupe couldn’t have asked for a more beautiful place to share their talents last weekend.

The 10-member group performed at Fisherman’s Beach and moved in perfect unison to the mesmerizing beat of the accompanying drum. The grace and artistry the dancers demonstrated through contemporary dance was captivating. Their slow motion movements, while deliberate and planned, took on an air of softness and whimsy that left the audience in awe.

“This is wonderful,” said Cheryl Cohen, longtime resident of the small seaside town. “It’s always a thrill to see the arts in Swampscott, and this a fantastic group of dancers.”

Sallee Slagle, founder of the 24-year-old company, showcased  her energetic performers and their talent.

“The ocean and sunshine are a big plus,” she said. “It is the perfect place to share our love of dance. Our goal is to spread the word that dance is glorious and should be experienced by everyone.”

Town resident Rebecca Ingalls, 57, said she was impressed with the hour-long  performance and noted its effect on the children in the audience.

“It was a lovely performance and I was watching the children during the show,” she said. “I noticed that most were dancing along and really seemed to be enjoying themselves. Maybe next year they can invite the kids to join them.”

Darcy Christian of Maine has been a member of the troupe for five years. “I love dancing and today was so much fun,” she said. “The audience was great. Sallee’s choreography makes my heart sing.”

Dancer Mehron Kugler, 34, said he had a blast. “I think dance is a great activity for the body,” he said. “The leg muscles really get a workout, and the sand is an especially great place to feel it. I enjoyed watching the audience’s reaction as we danced and I especially loved the outdoor stage.”

Swampscott resident Eva and Bryan Mintz-Bacon brought their daughters, Bella, 4, and Lila, 2, to experience the event.

“We’ve only lived in town for about four months,” she said. “I’m anxious to take part in local events and this was beautiful. My girls had a super time. They were mesmerized and I’m thrilled that we got to see such a unique performance.”


(Originally appeared August 8, 2016 on the Lynn Item’s website, itemlive.com, https://www.itemlive.com/2016/08/08/forty-steps-dance-troupe-brings-talents-to-swampscott/)

Photos from 2016 Fisherman’s Beach performance

Performance at Fisherman’s Beach in Swampscott, MA, Aug. 6, 2016.

Help bring “Creatures” to life!

CreaturesContributions are essential for us to produce our art and your support is greatly appreciated! Your generous support will help fund the video production of Creatures which will be used for workshop proposals, grant applications and performance opportunities throughout New England, including schools, community halls and festivals. Our mission is to promote and educate others in the expressive art of dance.

Forty Steps Dance is a non-profit corporation with 501(c)(3). Please click below to contribute.


Open post Creatures

“Creatures” Forty Steps Dance Video Promo HD

Forty Steps Dance performs “Creatures”
Choreography ~ Sallee Slagle
Videography ~ Blake Road Productions LLC
Costumes ~ Dena Popienko
Lighting ~ Matthew Cost

Help support this modern dance company and help put “Creatures” into schools and festivals! Your support will help fund the video production of “Creatures” which will be used for workshop proposals, grant applications and performance opportunities, including schools, community halls and festivals. Our mission is to promote and educate others in the expressive art of dance.

Subscribe to our YouTube Channel to see upcoming videos and sneak previews!

Photos from 2016 Annual Spring Concert

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Forty Steps Dance performed at their Annual Spring Concert in Nahant Town Hall, April 2, 2016. Photo by Robert Castagna.

Open post photo: Sallee

Sallee Slagle, Director

Sallee Slagle has been performing and choreographing professionally for over 20 years. Since receiving her BFA from the Boston Conservatory, she has performed throughout New England, the Caribbean and abroad with a variety of dance companies, as well as her own modern company, Forty Steps Dance. Her choreography has been presented locally and internationally by the Culture Connection, North Shore Dance Alliance, Windhover Performing Arts Center, North Shore Civic Ballet Co., Somerville Theater, Majestic Cruise Lines as well as the Saint Hill European Arts Festival in England.

Slagle is currently delivering her Increasing Creativity through Movement workshop locally and abroad bringing creative dance to everyone. Sallee is the director of Dance Dimensions, a dance and fitness studio serving Nahant, Lynn and Swampscott communities.

Creatures (2014)

Photos from Creatures (2014) – photos: Thomas Nola-Rion and Miguel Vargus

Lilac Garden performance

Lilac Garden Performance 2014
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Forty Steps Dance inspired and delighted an audience of 75 plus with “Creatures in the Lilac Garden” on June 7th. Seven dancers brought animal magnetism to the fragrant Lilac Garden, performing sections of a new work, “Creatures”, that is “all the buzz.” The performance was funded by the Swampscott Cultural Council, and amazed young and old as the “creatures” ventured beyond the stage and into the audience bringing the interactive performance to life. Sallee Slagle, choreographer, has brilliantly portrayed the movements of creatures through the movements of the human body.

Forty Steps Dance will be performing “Creatures” in full on the evenings of July 18, 19 and 20, 2014 at Windhover Summer Dance Institute in Rockport, Mass.

Originally appeared on the Swampscott Reporter’s website at http://swampscott.wickedlocal.com/article/20140617/NEWS/140616438

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