Saturday, October 17, 2009

Trolley Dances

I am always looking for new and interesting events around San Francisco. So when I saw a story on the news about the 6th Annual Trolley Dances, I knew I had to check it out. The production takes the audience out of the theater and on to the streets of San Francisco for a unique journey into the city’s diverse dancing community. All you need to pay is $2.00 in train fare!

The guided tour started in the middle of Mission Dolores Park. The first performance was a Son Jarocho from Veracruz, Mexico. A group of local musicians sang as two members of Grupo Folklorico Los Mejicas danced for the crowd.

From there, we moved over to the pedestrian bridge near 19th and Church. Members of the Deborah Slater Dance Theater danced a piece called “Men Think They Are Better Than Grass.”


The next stop was the Muni trolley. We packed onto the crowded train taking us to Balboa Park in the southern part of the city. As we approached 30th and Church the Muni driver announced over the loud speaker to look out the left side of the train for a special performance. Of course I was on the other side and couldn't see much, but I did catch a few glimpses of the couple dancing on the sidewalk. Everyone on the train started cheering as the man lifted the woman into air with her puffy, black and white polka dot skirt. We all clapped and waved good bye to the dancers as the train moved on. It must have been quite a scene for people walking down the street wondering what was going on.



When we arrived at Balboa Park we were greeted by the Oakland based company Deep Waters Dance Theater. Their lively hip-hop style music and energetic moves really got the crowd going, dancing under the trees.


We then headed to the parking lot area for a performance called “Blue Ramp.” Two women in long flowing dresses ran around dancing, splashing water from a bucket and hugged a tree as a third woman played the accordion.


Our last stop was inside the Balboa Park Pool. The first routine was a solo by a young male synchronized swimmer. For the grand finale, the San Francisco Merionettes Synchronized Swim Club performed to a medley of superhero theme songs.


I had no idea what kind of ride the Trolley Dances would take me on, but it turned out to be a very entertaining and memorable journey through the streets of my favorite city.

No comments:

Post a Comment