BY SARA TOLCHINSKY

PACE is one of MHS’ most interesting and unusual programs. It includes a four year dance curriculum which a very unique experience in a high school. Martie, the PACE dance teacher, has been teaching in PACE as a dance teacher for many years. Each year, she creates a dance show for PACE, Kinesthesia.

This is the 35th year of PACE’s student-written annual dance show. There are many opportunities to come and see the show.

The dates are December 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th. Tickets cost only five dollars.

 This year, Kinesthesia will consist of thirteen dances.  Eight by seniors, four by juniors and one dance by Martie.  However, this year’s Kinesthesia will not be any ordinary show and will be nothing like the past few years of Kinesthesia performances.  None of the dances this year are revivals, all are originals.  There will be new steps, new choreographers and dancers, new inspiration, new perspectives, even new and different dances.

“This year’s Kinesthesia,” Martie said, “won’t really be unique, but on the other hand, it will be different. The shows are always very different, because…. you have twelve high school students trying to decide what they want to say by means of dance, and all these voices are always different.”

The inspiration for her dance this year by saying that she had taken a class that gave her a new perspective and working system for her Kinesthesia dance. “This is a completely new dance for me which has not been the case for the past two years. The past two years have been revivals. So this is new, and I’m working in a different way,” she described. The dance is based on running. It’s very pedestrian and unusual, not the typical ballet or jazz or even modern dance.

The seniors and juniors also have put their own twist on whichever dance they have created for the show. Each one will be distinctive and unusual in its own way, its own show, and its own story. The dances will all display a little taste of each choreographer’s view of modern dance that each one visualizes in his or her own mind.

Martie also explained that although there are many pieces in this year’s show, there’s no common theme throughout the dances, a feature common to this type of dance show. Unlike many teachers, for Kinesthesia, Martie does not require a theme throughout this dance show that connects the dances to each other. In Kinesthesia, each performance will be different from the last. The choreographers choose their own music, and there will be endless lighting arrangements.

For those who aren’t the typical audience member of modern dances, or who wouldn’t normally enjoy attending a dance show, reconsider because this year’s Kinesthesia will capture your interest. Go with friends, and just have fun!  One can also watch their very own PACE friends in a very special and memorable show. The show runs about an hour and a half. Posters with more information can be found around MHS. Coming to see it is a small commitment and likely an enjoyable night out.