Dance-heavy lineup to celebrate diversity

With so much turbulence in the world, it almost seems like a luxury to celebrate co-operation between different groups and enjoy a concert of diverse cultures.

Yet that is precisely why the 18th annual Unity in Diversity concert has become such a potent standard bearer in St. Albert.

“Some people have even phoned the mayor’s office asking when the next Heritage Days are,” laughs co-organizer Renie Zeitz. She adds that this year’s event takes place on Saturday, Nov. 5 at the Arden Theatre, launching multicultural week, which runs Nov. 6 to 12.

For Zeitz, embracing cultural, religious, ethnic and racial differences is critical to developing a stronger, more balanced society.

“People want to learn about other cultures. All of us were immigrants and this is a good opportunity where we can welcome others,” she said.

The St. Albert Baha’i, the sponsoring group, usually takes advantage of Edmonton’s Heritage Days to scout out talent. In an unusual move, virtually all of this year’s acts are dance related.

Stepping under the spotlight are St. Albert’s Art of Dance, Edmonton Festival Ballet, Cheremosh Ukrainian Dance, Third Street Beat, Ecuador’s Aymara Nuca Llacta and the pan-African Adje.

The lone holdout is Back Porch Swing, a St. Albert western swing, folk, country and cowjazz quartet.

Art of Dance founder Sherri Urkow is presenting two numbers. Cinema Italiano is a stylized ’60s jazz number and You Can’t Stop the Beat is another snappy jazz number that opened Small Business Week in October.

Third Street Beat returns to Unity in Diversity with Shadow Twins, one of their most popular hip hop routines performed by Luke Geldert and Harman Baweja.

“It’s a hip hop fusion and we’re always innovating and recreating ourselves. Basically we’re going to spice it up and give it a new look,” Geldert says.

Adje (pronounced Ad-jay) combines African drum and dance and they were a vivid addition to the Nigerian Pavilion at the 2011 Heritage Days.

“They are very powerful,” Zeitz says. “The drumbeat is like a universal human heart. Their energy is incredible and some of the dancers are so acrobatic, athletic and high spirited.”

Ecuador’s newly-minted Aymara Nuca Llacta is on a mission to preserve its cultural identity and is slowly becoming a highlight at area ethnic events whereas Cheremosh’s dazzling footwork is an established part of Alberta culture.

Edmonton Festival Ballet, a highly disciplined ensemble that includes St. Albert’s Brady Belland, presents the traditional Snow followed by the more contemporary Go Do, and Back Porch Swing raises the excitement level with its unrestrained energy.

“There are a lot of divisions in the world and we hope this concert helps people think it’s OK to be different,” Zeitz says.