forty steps dance
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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
Photos from 2016 Annual Spring Concert
Forty Steps Dance performed at their Annual Spring Concert in Nahant Town Hall, April 2, 2016. Photo by Robert Castagna.
Creatures (2014)
Photos from Creatures (2014) – photos: Thomas Nola-Rion and Miguel Vargus
Lilac Garden performance
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
Photos from 2014 Annual Spring Concert
Forty Steps Dance performed at their Annual Spring Concert, March 29, 2014. The works featured include “Accord,” “The Flood,” “Creatures,” and a solo danced by Director Sallee Slagle from “Two from Tull.”
Accord (1992)
Photos from Accord (1992), performed in 2013 and 2014 at Nahant Town Hall – photos: Thomas Nola-Rion and Miguel Vargus
Fragile (2002/2011)
Photos from Fragile as performed in 2002, 2011, 2013. This original work was dedicated to all the victims and heroes of the tragedy on September 11, 2001. In 2011, the tenth anniversary of 9/11, it was revised to include a new opening section. All were touched by the events of that day and we recognize that our lives are all still affected in many ways. – photos: Leslie Jardine, Joe Puleo