James Sewell Ballet — A long-time dance partner

By Rebecca Petersen | The Daily Journal

Published Saturday, February 9, 2008

I’m trying desperately to remember how long James Sewell Ballet (JSB) has been coming to Fergus Falls. I’m pretty sure that this year, Feb. 22, marks at least their fourth visit.

The last time they were here they premiered the ballet “Guy Noire, Private Eye.” Then there was the time that they did a residency program at Cleveland Elementary School and the kids were practicing their dance steps for weeks afterward.

The time before that they did a residency over at the high school. The guys at the high school were a little stand offish until they saw some of the great modern interpretations and how talented and beautiful the dancing — especially the women.

That was the year that they convinced Gabby Boerhave to go for it when she was waffling about auditioning for the University of Minnesota Dance program. She worked up the courage to audition shortly after their visit and she got in.

But what was their inaugural visit like? I remember them being absolutely blow away by the talent and the great work already happening at our Fergus Falls School of Dance.

Every year that they have been here they have offered masterclasses and workshops with the dance students — sometimes even with the community.

I remember taking a community dance class with them over at theYMCA.

Most importantly the thing I remember about their first visit was that they were willing to come to Fergus Falls and A Center for the Arts where we have a very narrow stage and no wing space for dancers.

I told them this up front and James said, “Well, send us your dimensions and we’ll tape them off on our dance space and we’ll choreograph our work to fit your space.”

Wow. This is huge for a dance company and it was even bigger for us because, ever since that day I’ve been able to respond to dance companies who say our space is too small by saying, “Well, James Sewell made it work.”

James, no doubt, is hugely respected in the dance community because when I say this, their response is, “Well, if James can make it work I guess we can too.”

For the past several years we have partnered with the Fergus Falls School of Dance, through our joint Dance and Dessert program, to raise money in an effort to bring a number of different professional dance companies to the community.

(Other companies have included Danny Buraczeski’s Jazz Dance, Zenon Modern Dance, Minnesota Dance Theater, Minnesota Ballet, TU Dance, African dancer/drummer Francis Kofi) But always, multiple visits from JSB. This year’s James Sewell Ballet visit is not only sponsored by the Fergus Falls School of Dance but also the Capezio Ballet Foundation.

We’re picking up more momentum and support for our local dance programs and tour performers every year.

And, as far as we’re concerned, James Sewell Ballet should have a presence in Fergus Falls at least every other year — which is about our track record.

Now, some 10 or more years later, we are flattered by their attention and their enthusiasm about returning here time and again.

In fact, they asked us if they could include Fergus Falls in their big grant to the National Endowment for the Arts instead of another community south of here.

“You know what this means?” they asked.

“It means that if we get the grant, we’ll be paying you for the privilege of performing at A Center for the Arts.”

It’s awesome when someone like James Sewell chooses you to be his dance partner.