Acrobatic aerialists stage an abstract, uplifting show
Dance review
By Cary Ginell soundthink@aol.com

Aerial dance is a relatively new performing art form that combines elements of dance and acrobatics in a highly stimulating and entertaining fashion. It was developed in the 1970s.

Revelations is the newly minted aerial dance company of Ventura County, led by producer Susie Bellows and artistic director Nikki Blakeslee. Together, they put on "Conversations: a Dialogue in Movement," a uniquely choreographed "concert" that was staged at the Civic Arts Plaza's Scherr Forum last weekend.

The idea of aerial dance is to expand dance into a multidimensional art form, using vertical as well as the traditional horizontal space.

Three separate troupes joined together to present the program: a junior company, which includes girls as young as 10 years old; a senior company; and a professional company. All told, 20 performers danced in the concert, which was enthusiastically received by the audience, many of whom were also dance students from Ventura and Los Angeles counties.

The vertical dances utilized a variety of apparatus hung from the ceiling above the stage. From these devices, dancers suspended themselves, twirled, gyrated and performed gravitydefying feats (without harnesses) that can best be described as a combination of circus acrobatics and gymnastics. Spaceage music accompanied most of the movements, although one interpretation was scored with a rendition of the Beatles' "Something."

The first segment, "Family Photo," introduced all the dancers, who posed inside an oversized picture frame before literally leaping out of the picture to perform their routines. Sara Romanowski was spectacular as she suspended herself from a silk drape, keeping aloft by wrapping the silk around legs and arms.

In "Luna Bella," Blakeslee and Brenda Hamilton, a veteran aerial artist and teacher, performed an aerial duet, using two large hoops as their apparatus of choice. The two finished their segment by performing together on a single hoop, combining the grace of ballet with the balance and strength of Olympic gymnasts.

Most of the segments were abstract in nature, created by a staff of seasoned dance choreographers. In addition to Blakeslee and Hamilton, the creative staff included Nicole Harlan, Mandy Moore, Alexandra Little and Terry Beeman, each of whom possesses stellar credits in television, film and video. All teach at schools and workshops throughout Southern California.

In one arresting segment, titled "Nothing Noticed," the music stopped as guest artist Robert Roldan joined Mary Bellows and Julia Fenton of the professional company in a riveting and exquisite pas de trois. With the audience in dead silence, one could easily sense the strenuous work the trio was doing through their sometimes labored breathing.

Also performed by the professional company, the segment "Disconnected" was the most humorous. Members engaged in a virtual spy thriller, with cellphones and a laptop included as props. Valentina Alexandria Savery performed a stunning exhibition on a low-slung trapeze, exhibiting incredible control and balance.

One doesn't have to be familiar with dance to appreciate the colorful and exciting display of talent as shown by Revelations. If you missed this dazzling display of artistic ingenuity and creativity, don't miss the dance company next time. For more information on Revelations, contact Susie Bellows at ladancworks@hotmail.com or call (805) 630-2705.