Orcas Center presents Cabaret in the Air, a fun, mysterious and unique variety show that features local dancers, singers and a musician. Cabaret in the Air will be performed in the OffCenter Stage on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 23, 24 and 25 at 7:30 pm.
Cabaret in the Air was conceived during a month-long workshop taught this February by Ukoiya Mastin, co-creator of the Dream Science Circus. A handful of women enrolled in a “New Burlesque” class with Mastin and became enthralled with the aerial work they were taught on the “silks”, strong fabric used as a flexible trapeze by the performer as she executes choreography in the air. One of the participants, Maria Bullock, attained a high level of mastery on the silks and offered to continue coaching the participants at the conclusion of the class. About her experience, Bullock states “Working on the silks gave me a totally different feeling. It’s a wonderful sensation of freedom, almost like flying, while challenging my personal boundaries of safety, strength and flexibility.”
Barbara Courtney, director of Orcas Center, saw a fun opportunity to showcase these performers. “Given the huge popularity of Teatro Zinzanni, what’s hot right now is a new form of variety show which combines elements of burlesque, vaudeville, dance and circus arts. And everybody loves a high-flying aerial artist.”
The Orcas Center performance features Becki Klauss, Leslie Liddle, Grace McCune, Jamie Mulligan-Smith, Jaen Black and Kim Secunda. A final element of the show will be original and daring new fashion designs.
Tickets to Cabaret in the Air on Thursday, April 23 and Saturday, April 25 are $12. On Friday, April 24 there will be a special gala performance that includes tapas and wine, and tickets are $25. Patrons are strongly encouraged to purchase tickets in advance because seating in the OffCenter Stage is very limited. Tickets may be purchased at www.orcascenter.org or at the Orcas Center Box office Thursdays-Saturdays, noon-4 pm, 376-2281 ext. 1.
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