SEQUIM — Sequim Ballet will return for a First Friday evening of originally choreographed dance at 6 tonight in the Gathering Hall at Olympic Theatre Arts.
The First Friday performance at Olympic Theatre Arts, 414 N. Sequim Ave., will be free.
Advanced ballet students Saige Turner and Eleanor Byrne have choreographed dances to music they have selected (“Gravity” performed by Sara Bareilles and “Work Song” performed by Hozier, respectively). They will also dance a duet to “Everywhere I Go” performed by Sleeping At Last, choreographed by Sequim Ballet director Laurel Herrera.
Herrera has choreographed more songs for intermediate ballet students, including a duet to “Moon River” sung by Audrey Hepburn and “Somewhere Only We Know,” performed by Lily Allen.
“The theme of the Evening of Dance is ‘I Choose You,’ ” Herrera said. “I Choose You” is a song about believing in the magic of being together with someone you love. I always want to choose music to inspire my dancers to be better people and inspire our audience. I also want to encourage my dancers to be there for each other … be that angel that someone needs at that moment.”
The performance’s final dance, “I Choose You” by Sara Bareilles, will bring the evening’s theme home.
All the dancers will be joined by three actors from from the ballet’s Dance for Actors class, which explores basic ballet, tap and jazz used on stage, according to a news release.
Music and narrations by the dancers and actors will also be featured during the performance.
Madelyn Pickens will offer her version of Taylor Swift’s poem “Holding On” with her lively readings, and Teija Dumdei will sing “The Rainbow Connection,” accompanied by her mother, Melissa Dumdei, on the piano.