Dinner and ‘Dance Mosaic’ show comes to Gateway on Nov. 22

It’s time for the annual dance festival at Portland Metro Performing Arts. See what’s in store for you – at this great outer East Portland cultural event …

Metro Dancers (Back row) Emilie Larison, Sophie Gunz, Riley Willis, Julia Manning, Sarah Stanton, and (Front row) Beth Barnhart, Angelia Biornstad, Violet Lane-Ruckman, Michaela Martens, and Kylee Martens, rehearse a number from the Dance Mosaic show on November 22 called “Bluegrass”.

Story and photos by David F. Ashton
If you haven’t been to a performance of the Portland Metro Performing Arts (PMPA) dance company called the Metro Dancers, your opportunity is coming up next week.

“We call the program ‘Dance Mosaic’, explained PMPA’s Director Nancy Yeamans, as we watched a group of young ladies rehearse a number from the show. “It’s an exciting repertory dance concert, featuring works ranging from classical ballet to cutting-edge modern.”

Guests artists to perform
Metro Dancers will be joined by guest companies Kinetic Images Dance Company, Western Oregon University Dancers, Anne Kemer Dance and Skylark Tappers, performing the works of dynamic choreographers.

“This program gives the guest artists the chance to be seen by our audience,” Yeamons told us. “And, they bring some of their audience to see what we are doing. There aren’t enough venues and events in Oregon for companies to be seen.”

Dinner helps raise funds
In addition to the afternoon and evening shows, PMPA is hosting an Italian dinner, the organization’s director said. “We’re hoping people will come to support our non-profit organization by joining us for the dinner we’ve scheduled between shows, whether or not they also come for a performance.”

It’s important for PMPA to continue because, as Yeaman’s pointed out, “We’re the only people who do what we do – provide education in dance, music, and theater, all under one roof. And, being a nonprofit organization, it means that every dollar we raise goes into our educational programs – and thus back into the community.”

Two shows on November 22
Showtimes are at 2:00 pm and 7:00 pm on Saturday, November 22 at Portland Metro Performing Arts, 9933 SE Pine Street – just a couple of streets north of SE Stark Street.

Advance tickets are $15.00, or at the Door $18.00. The Italian Dinner featuring food from Pizza Baron, Olive Garden, Flying Pie Pizza, and Bridges Café, is on from 4:30 p.m. until 6:00 p.m., and the modest charge is $10 for high school and adult; $5 for grade school kids, and $2.50 for preschoolers.

For tickets, call PMPA at (503) 408-0604.

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