Jackson School of Performing Arts annual recital returns with Cirque de la Danse

By Jessie Moniz Hardy

Popcorn, peanuts, acrobats ­— the circus is coming to town, thanks to the Jackson School of Performing Arts.

Their annual recital, to be held next month, will feature a big top theme with a range of dance styles including ballet, jazz, modern, tap, lyrical, and hip hop and will be called Cirque de la Danse.

“Picking a Circus theme has been so much fun for the dancers and also for the teachers to choreograph,” said Jeanne Legere, Managing Director of Jacksons. “The opening jazz number Applause are the seniors as ringmasters of the circus and is choreographed by our new teacher, Emily Polasik, and is going to set the stage for the whole entire show.

“We have really let loose and are using a lot of props this year, like face masks for our senior pointe, balloons for our intermediate modern, brooms and trash cans for our beginner boy’s hip hop, hula hoops for a ballet, and puppets on a string for our senior hip hop girls.”

She said the school prides itself on being a professional, caring and safe environment.

“We are a dance school, that is sometimes referred by the dancers as their second home,” said Ms Legere. “It is amazing that some of our dancers are able to balance their schoolwork and eight dance classes a week, plus extra rehearsals into their schedule, but they seem to do both brilliantly. Dance for sure is an outlet for stress.”

The boys’ hip hop class at Jacksons’ is particularly popular.

Whereas dance schools sometimes struggle to enlist boys, Jacksons now has over 30 and will be adding a second boys’ class in September.

This summer the older boy’s hip hop class is heading to Philadelphia for a week of dance intensive in hip hop and break dancing.

“This is a show not to be missed,” said Ms Legere.

Cirque de la Danse will be held at the Earl Cameron Theatre at City Hall on July 2, 3, 4 and 5.

Tickets are $36 for adults, children 16 years old and under $29. Minimum age is two years old and everyone must have a ticket.

Tickets are available at bdatix.com, Pulp and Circumstance in the Washington Lane and Fabulous Fashions in Heron Bay.