By Claudia Taller
Six years after launching Vibrant Wind Dancers, Director and Founder Mary Bodnar continues to find poetry in dance. The Middle Eastern dance troupe has performed over 55 dance performances for live audiences at retirement communities, churches, conferences, libraries, schools and community events. The dance is about putting movement to life’s synergy.
The dancers, Mary Bodnar, Chris Blosser, and Fran Bodnar, are in the middle of a string of performances at Cuyahoga County libraries. Catch up with them in the next week or so, if you can. Vibrant Wind Dancers will perform “Celebrating People of Color” on Thu 2/7 at Orange Branch, on Tue 2/12 at Fairview Park, and on Sat 2/23 at Maple Heights. Saturday performances begin at 2pm and weekday evening performances begin at 7pm.
Bodnar takes clues from Carl Sandburg, who wrote, “Poetry is an echo, asking wind to dance.” The interpretive dance she brings to the stage is a study in how the body moves to poetry and music from all over the world. A former marketing executive, Bodnar also paints and writes, and after studying Middle Eastern dance for several years, she decided to teach it to others, which eventually led to dance performances. Sandburg’s poem inspired the dance troupe’s name.
Her earthbound work includes “Midsummer’s Night Dream,” “Wind and Water,” “Sun and Sand,” “Earthen Elements,” and “Autumn Air,” all performed with silk scarves and veils, bare feet, flowing skirts, and ankle and hip bells. Unlike most traditional belly dancing, these dancers don’t bare their bellies. The dance is serene and enchanting.
Mary Bodnar’s interpretative dance takes the body into the realm of the Middle East with hip gyrations and cobra-like arms. Body movements are enhanced by scarves and footwork, and the entire body becomes one with the music. Mary is a beautiful dancer — one wants to sit back and watch — but she’s a gifted teacher who’s committed to sharing the secrets of her chosen art form to her students. Her classes push toward endless possibility.
Get out to your local library to catch Mary and her dancers in action. And then think about studying dance with her. Vibrant Wind Dancers can customize its programming for specific audiences and themes and Mary is available for workshops and talks. Give Mary a call at 216/221-2927 or 216/392-4944 if you’re interested in a class or scheduling an event.
Claudia Taller is the author of Ohio’s Lake Erie Wineries and has been a Cool Cleveland contributor for many years. She helps writers and other creative people discover possibilities for their lives through Igniting Possibilities events, including Word Lovers retreats. She has written articles for numerous publications over the last decade and blogs at http://ClaudiaTallerMusings.blogspot.com. Her book can be purchased at http://OhioLakeErieWineries.blogspot.com and makes a perfect gift for history buffs and wine lovers.Pepper Pike, OH 44124
Fairview Park, OH 44126
Maple Heights, OH 44137