By Michael Patrick O’Brien–
Manifestations of divine grace are elusive. Often the best place to discover them is in the simple things—music, dance, wine, delicious food, and kind company. Some young artists recently blended these graces together into a wonderful evening called “Tastes.”
“Tastes” was just that—some small plates of food, flavorful company, dollops of dance and music, and a few glasses of wine to wash it all down. They arrived in courses…an appetizer of cheeses and then some dance, an entree of small pot pies followed by creative movement, a wee bit of choreography after a slice of citrus poppyseed cake. Fine conversation with old and new friends was served up in between for extra zest and spice.
The recipe was conceived and executed by (1) dancer/choreographer Rebecca Aneloski and her team of dancers, (2) Mella caterers and event planners, and (3) Ashley Thalman and Matthew Peterson of Ultraviolet Studios in Ogden, Utah. Aneloski described the concept this way: “I believe in the potential of gathering people into one space, to be, see, taste, and experience an evening of conversation and movement.”
Indeed, there is proven potential in her notion. The “Tastes” event reminded me of a vintage form of evening entertainment—the classic dinner/supper club. No doubt you’ve seen them in one form or another, maybe on the big screen, maybe in a recent episode of The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, or perhaps even live if you are fortunate (and old) enough.
“Tastes” was new but refreshingly retro. Like the old clubs, it broke down the barriers sometimes created in traditional theaters between performers, hospitality hosts, and audience. The result was an extremely comfortable and pleasant evening of dances, delectables, drinks, and dialogues.
Aneloski’s team of dancers called “And Artists” (Haleigh Larmer, Micah Burkhardt, Megan O’Brien (my daughter), Kerry McCrackin, Morgan Phillips, Allison Shir, and Natalie Jones) helped cook up the evening’s healthy portions of charm. All are skilled performers, but they also are what I call blue collar dancers, i.e. artists who have to work and support themselves outside the traditional dance company world in order to pursue their passion for movement.
Such a blue collar spirit brought some interesting and unexpected twists to the performance. The dancers acted as their own tech team, seamlessly weaving theatric lighting and sound work into their choreography. The show was a mix of lovely solo, pas de deux, and ensemble pieces. Yet, it was almost as interesting to watch those dancers who were not front and center at any given moment, as they cast light on their colleagues or sat/stood nearby in intriguing sideshow poses.
And let’s not forget the music. Aneloski and company offered an eclectic buffet for the ears, with clips from Mozart’s “Marriage of Figaro,” Guy Lombardo’s “Auld Lang Syne,” Ernest Ranglin’s “Lemon Tree,” and Ella Fitzgerald’s “Summertime” to name only a few. The musical choices were inspired and sophisticated, setting up the perfect chic ambience for the evening’s delicious dancing and dining.
“Tastes” made its debut in enchanting and spiritual environs too—the urban Ultraviolet Studios photo space nestled into a corner off Ogden’s Washington Boulevard. At night, the studio is bathed in the warm lights of the Latter-day Saint Temple across the street. “Tastes” hopes to perform again soon in the quaint Ogden space, but hopefully will arrive at other appropriate venues in other Utah cities too. It is an experience worth sharing.
Great artists show us the sublime, but they also are a form of incarnation that helps us glimpse and understand the divine. Pope Francis has said, “Artists of every discipline, are called to shine beauty especially where darkness or gray dominates everyday life.” He calls them the “heralds and witnesses of hope for humanity.”
On a recent weekend in my boyhood hometown of Ogden, the artists of “Tastes” gave us the gift of grace, simple but amazing grace. Lord, how we need it right now.
*Mike O’Brien is a writer and attorney living in Salt Lake City, Utah. He is writing a book about growing up with the monks at the old Trappist monastery in Huntsville, Utah.
