Pacific Ballroom Dance has been closed since March to honor the Stay Home, Stay Healthy policy that Gov. Jay Inslee put in place to stop the spread of COVID-19.
Classes and workshops have continued virtually. Even as students worked to find a new and temporary normal, they grieved the loss of their spring concert.
But at 7 p.m. June 20, an undeterred PBD presents “Mosaic,” a live-streamed ballroom concert, free of charge through the Vimeo platform.
“This is the first time PBD has presented an entirely virtual spring concert, but our staff and students have rallied to the challenge of this new medium and created an incredible show,” said PBD’s Artistic Director Katie Mecham. “Our concert will present a collection of dances from each of our formation teams. The pieces range from award-winning competition routines to energetic and playful dances, while others delve into quarantine and learning to dance alone. It will be entertaining, enlightening and emotional.”
Dancer Melanie Castro said this concert is special because of all the hard work people have done, especially during the pandemic,
“It’s been hard because we could not physically finish this year all together, and we had to be at home and do it virtually,” Castro said. “I have kept going with dance because I know that this pandemic will not go on forever, and that to be a better dancer, I have to continue, and dance is where I can truly be myself and show who I am.”
“This year dancing has been hard because we have to learn the routines over videos and virtual meetings, and we don’t have anyone to show us in person,” said junior high dancer Moya Udd. “But I kept going with dance because I love to dance, and I love a challenge.”
“The Auburn Performing Arts Center would be bustling and busy right now,” said staff member Anne Eugenio. “It really is sad to drive past and see the building empty and still. However, I am beyond excited about the studio’s innovative concert coming up. I think audiences are going to love it.”
In planning last fall, Mecham said, she was inspired to build PBD’s upcoming spring concert on the theme of “Mosaic,” not fully understanding why, she said, but feeling like it would be an idea she wanted to explore artistically and develop into a show.
“As events have progressed over the last few months, the theme choice has brought greater levels of depth and meaning to the idea as we struggle to find a way through our current world events as an organization, as dancers, and as humans,” Mecham said. “Our lives have become incredibly fragmented and isolated, making it hard to find connection and to see a way forward. The image of a mosaic, a collection of fractured pieces crafted into a work of art, has come to symbolize what the experience of this year has been.
“Each of us has been impacted differently this year and we have a different story to tell, but when our stories are told through the medium we love best, dance, they take on a heightened sense of meaning, connection and understanding, a beautiful mosaic of dance,” Mecham said.
Pacific Ballroom Dance began in 1994 as a small, local youth club with a goal to provide young teens with the chance to build respectful social skills, self-esteem, fitness and teamwork. In 2003, PBD became a 501-c3 nonprofit organization with a mission to build character in youth by providing a positive ballroom dance experience.
Today, PBD is a thriving, Auburn-based youth dance education studio that serves more than 1,000 students annually from ages 10-18 from throughout the Puget Sound region.
For information, visit pacificballroom.org, call 253-939-6524 or email info@pacificballroom.org.
Youth Premier dancers went on location to film at Saltwater State Park. Pictured: Cora Longhurst.
