Hearts Like Wildflowers Night 1

The Ferguson dance department’s “Hearts Like Wildflowers” definitely left a beautiful impact on all those that attended. It was the night one of the spring dance show which took place on Wednesday, April 25th in the auditorium. Not only was the show inspiring and heartwarming, but the dancers showed us through touching choreographies that we can overcome anything and rise again like flowers.

The show opened up with the fusion juniors dancing to a spoken word piece having to do with mother nature. The message learned from the piece was to make sure that we treat nature properly because our lives are the ones that depend on it. This set the tone for the rest of the night creating a very nurturing and encouraging vibe.

The performances done throughout the night were very heartfelt. You could tell the audience definitely felt passion while watching the dancers move on stage. Three dancers by the name of Jasmine Estape, Katelyn Grass, and Gabriela Villar showed us an incredible and dramatic performance of “Who I am” by Jordan Smith. They poured out their hearts into the dance and the choreography showed through their leaps and twirls just how emotional the performance was for them.

Small videos were played throughout the show showing how the fusion dancers have overcome certain situations and grown as individuals. One girl by the name of Nicole Paez showed us through a short film that she was a victim of rape. The video shows her silent and afraid at the beginning that later changes into her feeling beautiful, happy, and vibrant.

She along with two other gentlemen by the name of Rafi Castillo and Rudy Flores then began a short but touching piece portraying everything Nicole Paez had to go through before, during, and after she had been raped. The name of this drama was #MeToo and the purpose was to reach out to the audience about ending rape culture.  

Although there were many moving dances that night, we can’t leave out all the fun and outgoing choreographies done as well! The Dance Technique 3 dancers definitely put on a show with their dance to “Eden” which actually made you feel as if you were in a jungle with them. The wilderness vibe gotten from the piece was extremely entertaining and brought a little change to the tone of most of the night.

A taste of Spanish hip-hop was also shown during the “Hearts like Wildflowers” program. The Dance Technique 2 dancers brought out a fiery sensation and showed fun energy through Pit Bull’s “305”.

Towards the end of the night, some of the talented dancers dedicated a performance as a tribute to all the lives lost in the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. The dance was very well put together and you could see through the choreography the message they were giving. “Still I Rise” was the name of the music used and the performance lived up to its name. The end of the tribute was very touching because all the dancers put their hands into a fist and lifted them high in the air showing that the victims family, friends, and even us as a community will rise from the pain and heartache felt during the events of this terrible tragedy.

The show closed beautifully with a goodbye dance from all the 2018 seniors. Throughout the dance, the seniors used confetti when moving to show this was their final performance. It looked breathtaking but at the same time, you could feel the sense of sadness.

Titled “Already Gone” the dance showed that even though the ride has been amazing, they must go their separate ways at some point. This closing performance left the audience as well as other dancers feeling so many emotions all in one night. The show was executed in such a graceful and gentle-spirited manner and all dancers that night accomplished great things.