Rachel Louchen reports from Great Barrington. On the evening of Saturday, March 5, the Olga Dunn Dance Company marked 40 years of plies with seven dances that celebrated and represented past and future seasons. Choreographed by Artistic Director Olga Dunn and some members of the faculty, the recital opened with the welcoming “Hello," followed by “Daughters Leaving Home," part of the Train Collection, in reference to the company's location in the former Great Barringotn train depot. After the recital, dancers and guests (many of whom have been longtime members of the company) enjoyed champagne and cake as they toasted to many more seasons. [Above, dancer and teacher Julie Webster and Olga Dunn.]
"Clap, Snap, Brush," performed by the Olga Dunn Dance Company.
Rob Kend, a father of one of the evening's dancers, Winter Hardcastle, Tom Sirois and Michele Sirois also parents of a dancer; Katie Burkle, who has been dancing with Olga Dunn since she was seven, performed during the evening, with her daughter, Willow and board member and dancer parent Ani Shaker.
Dancers Mabel Muller, Bea Higgins, Olivia Higgins and Olivia McCartney; dance parents Jennifer Tabakin and Shawn McCartney, who performed with his daughter Olivia in "Daughters Leaving Home."
Company member Hope St. Jock has been dancing with Olga Dunn for 15 years, here with her mother, Denise St. Jock and Mary Theresa Valleri; "Time," featuring Olivia McCarthy, Hope St. Jock and Katie Burkle.
The Olga Dunn Dance Company, post-performance, holding clocks to represent the passing of 40 seasons.
Written by
Matteline deVries-Dilling, founder of Lite Brite Neon, one of the evening's honoree of this year's Upstate Benefit adresses the gala from the Caboose's caboose.
- Karen Pearson. Courtesy Art Omi.
Olana senior vice president and landscape curatorMark Prezorski, president Sean Sawyer, The evenings honoree Kristin Gamble and New York State Assemblymember Didi Barrett.
- Oxygen House Photo
