Center Stage performance set May 24-25

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Students and instructors of Center Stage Dance Studio will grace the stage at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 24, and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 25, for “Hilo is Dancing in the Rain,.”

Students and instructors of Center Stage Dance Studio will grace the stage at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m. Saturday, May 24, and 3 p.m. Sunday, May 25, for “Hilo is Dancing in the Rain,.”

The performance will feature works honoring the rain and water that is a large part of life on the east side of Hawaii Island.

This year, older and more advanced students and instructors will perform in both shows, while younger students along with beginners will perform in one show.

Center Stage is also producing a keiki ceremony and recital Sunday, May 18, at the East Hawaii Cultural Center.

Center Stage regularly performs anti-drug and anti-alcohol shows at the schools, halftime at the roller derby, shows at the Veteran’s Center and other community events.

Center Stage instructors enjoy inspiring youth and adults to have positive, healthy lives through the art of dance. The instructors, all of whom are experienced adult dancers, choreographers and teachers in ballet, hip hop, break dancing, jazz, Latin ballroom, tap and belly dance are: Pier Sircello, Norman Hakkei Jr, Nadia Schlosser, Pam Chong James, Cheryl Aue, Grady Sullivan, Vicky Robbins, Jason Savella, Denise Cervine and Jewel Castro.

This year’s show features about 200 youths and adults from beginners to pre-professionals, and some instructors. Music will be diverse as always, and features the Piano Guy, the Beatles, Muse, music from “Peter Pan,” “Singing in the Rain” and much more. As always, the show promises to be exciting and fun filled with lots of high energy, great dancing and performing.

Dancers will include Hakkei Jr.; Sullivan, Kalani Ridolfi Dunn, who will be leaving Hawaii this year to make her way as a professional dancer/acrobat; and Riah Seymour, who also will be leaving this year to pursue ballet studies at the High School of Performing Arts in Denver.

“Every year, we lose promising dancers to the mainland, which is both an honor and also sad for me. I push dancers out of the nest to see them grow as people and dancers,” said Pier Sircello, Center Stage artistic director. “I love to see them succeed in the dance world. However, it is bittersweet.”

Tickets can be purchased only at Basically Books and Center Stage Dance Studio for $12/$10.

For more information, call 933-3334.