To say the least, it’s been a successful season for Giselle’s Showtyme Dance studio, with a campaign filled with awards and success for the Assiniboia-based club’s performers.
On Saturday, May 7, it was time to show their family and friends what they’d been showing the adjudicators since the beginning of the season.
The studio’s dancers took the stage for their first recital since 2020 at the Prince of Wales Cultural and Recreational Centre, with the Solo, Duo and Trio Showcase kicking things off with a matinee in the afternoon before the main recital took over in front of a packed house in the evening.
“It’s pretty fantastic,” said GSD owner Giselle Wilson shortly after the final performance of the afternoon. “Since 2020, no one has seen them, and even some of their parents haven’t seen them dance. So it’s been an emotional rollercoaster for everyone involved, even going to competitions again and being around people again, remembering the late nights and early mornings and everything involved with performing on stage.
“I think we were taking it for granted, but now we remember how precious it is and how much it means to us.”
Dancers showed off a wide range of skills and talents, ranging from Lyrical and Contemporary to the always-popular Ballet and Tap performances. And the performers looked to be pretty much spot on from start to finish, something Wilson felt was a product of the hometown crowd.
“Sometimes when you go away there can be a little more pressure and some bobbles here and there, but when you’re in your hometown and on stage and the audience gets involved, they really start to dance so much stronger and so much better,” Wilson said. “As a teacher, it’s really rewarding.”
The recital itself is a product of a season full of hard work, with things beginning with the basic songs and ideas and concepts in November and December before the practice and refining get things to a point when competitions start in spring.
Still, that doesn’t mean taking two years off makes putting a final show together any easier. Wilson made point of thanking her family, friends, volunteers and fellow teachers for all the support and work with the youngsters throughout the season.
“It almost feels like this is my first recital because we haven’t had one in a couple of years, but I’ve had a lot of help,” she said. “It’s been a lot of work, but it’s what makes our year. And when you haven’t been able to do something like this for a couple of years, it doesn’t seem like a lot of work and it’s all worth it.”
