Windfall Dance Company presents Arabian Nights

Veronica and Wilson Yeakle begged to dance when they saw the Windfall Dance Company\n take the stage to perform their interpretation of Arabian Nights on Saturday evening at the Owen Valley High School auditorium. Their mother, Angela Yeakle, said she took her children to the show to expose them to different cultures. \n“We try to expose them to any arts that we can and it’s nice to not have to drive into Bloomington,” Yeakle said.\nYeakle is planning on enrolling Veronica in fall youth classes with the Windfall School of Dance. Windfall also offers a variety of classes for adults, including ballet, Irish step and hip-hop\n. \nAs a part of the Owen County Public Library’s monthly Family Night, the Windfall dancers performed two acts, filled with Middle Eastern influences and colorful costumes. Dancer Kay Olges has been with the company since 1995 and choreographed the segment “The Man Who Stole the Golden Dish.” \n“I loved the opportunity to work with musicians live because the energy from the dancers and the musicians is something that you just don’t get any other way,” Olges said.\nAfter reviewing the Arabian Nights stories, members of Windfall, ranging in ages from 20 to 51, worked together to incorporate modern dance techniques with the text, Olges said.\n“Since it was Middle Eastern, we wanted to bring in Middle Eastern and belly dance styles more,” Olges said. “We didn’t want to try and make it a belly dance show, but we did want to recognize the influences.”\nWindfall is accustomed to choreography with a central theme and sometimes text. Past performances include “Legends,” “Myths and Other Flights of Fancy” and “Nocturne.”\n“We have the literacy project where we help kids develop movement with text. We have also collaborated with music before,” Olges said.\nLive music for the performance was provided by Salaam, a world music ensemble that uses a variety of instruments including the joza, two dumbeks, and a tuppan, said Dena El Saffar, who played the violin, joza and veolla for the show.\n“A lot of what we do is with belly dancers.” El Saffar said. “Doing it with modern dance is different.”\nWindfall will be holding a summer dance camp for kids ages 8-14 beginning June 11.