Ammena Dance Company is set to present its 22nd production of An Explosion of World Dance and Music at the Yates Memorial Theatre next month.
For more than two decades, the studio has provided an inclusive and welcoming space where dancers of all ages, abilities and backgrounds can explore creativity, build confidence and connect through movement.
An Explosion of World Dance and Music is one of Ammena’s signature productions, showcasing a wide-range of global dance styles and the collective artistry of its dancers.
Founder Lise-Anne Talhami says the show reflects the studio’s ongoing commitment to cultural celebration, storytelling and community connection.
“Ammena Dance Company is not something I built alone. Really, the students created it and keep it going. Every day, I am an audience to many amazing people who help make Ammena what it is,” she adds.
According to Talhami, students work really hard all year with 20 numbers slated for this year’s showcase. “They start in September. They have 24 classes, 24 hours to show everything they’ve worked on. It’s just such a great community, and [great] to share that with Lethbridge. We have about 140 students this year, all adults.”
It’s a pretty big deal for an adult to come to a dance class, Talhami notes.
“Most of them have never danced before and then perform on a stage for like 500 people every night,” she says.
Talhami points out the dance company started in 2003 with recreational classes, as adult learners expressed an interest in wanting to perform. “We do Broadway, belly dancing, Bollywood, Latin and African. Just so many styles,” she notes.
“Every year, we try to change up the styles to keep students interested, engaged and learning new things. I think the oldest is like 74, and the youngest is 19. It’s a big range of humans – men and women, mostly women, but we have six guys in our show this year,” Talhami explains.
For every showcase, new selections are chosen, Talhami says. “We never redo a piece. Every year [includes] new numbers.”
After talking with students, Talhami notes the consensus is many of the dancers feel they’re at the age where dance is becoming important for health reasons.
“Neurologically, not to get Alzheimer’s, and just taking care of yourself physically. It’s just like an hour. You come into the studio, and you can only really focus on remembering the choreography and movement. You kind of forget everything at the door. I think showcasing it is really beautiful to see adults who have dedicated all this time, six months, to preparing for a show, and seeing their hard work,” she adds.
An Explosion of World Dance and Music is March 6 and 7 at the Yates Memorial Theatre.
Tickets are available online at visitlethbridgearena.ca. For more information about the show, visit online at ammenadanceco.com.
