Pirate Motion Performs in Revue

By CORINNE MESSER

The Progress

The Moapa Valley High School dance team, Pirate Motion, held its end of year performance on Friday evening, March 3.

The Revue was held in the Gary Batchelor Gym at MVHS. Upon entrance, photos of all 18 dancers were on display. The theme of the revue was “Beyond the Blue,” with a stunning backdrop of cascading sheer fabric, twinkle lights, two large Pirate ship masts, an anchor, and other sea-going decor.

The master of ceremonies was Matt Messer who eloquently introduced each dance performance and shared information about each dancer throughout the evening to a full house of supportive Pirate Motion fans.

The evening began with a military dance to the music of “Pirates of the Caribbean.” This number is a Moapa Valley Pirate favorite as it has been performed for many years, added to, and strengthened through time. The team wore stunning blue velvet pirate costumes and performed intricate dance moves with a pirate theme. For example, one formation mimics rough waters a pirate ship would be sailing through.

Pirate Motion continued to show their lovely dancing talents the rest of the evening, performing a Pom/jazz routine called, “Crazy in Love,” a disco number called, “Shake Your Groove Thing,” a Hip Hop dance called, “Tick, Tick, Boom,” and a Pom routine called, ”Wobble.”

Guest performers consisted of Lyon Middle School’s dance team, the Marinettes, K-5 graders who attended a Pirate Motion dance camp earlier in the week, and Debs from the Past.

The Marinettes performed two numbers called, “Get Ready,” and “Battle of Up is Down Mix.” Directed by Stephanie Thornton, the dance team performed their dances pleasingly, proving that Pirate Motion’s future will continue to have talented dancers.

During the week, a junior Pirate Motion dance camp was held for youth ages kindergarten to grade 5. The youth were taught dances by Pirate Motion dancers and performed them at the revue. This activity is both a good experience for the youngsters to learn dance movement and performance skills, and also for the Pirate Motion girls to experience teaching dances to young children. The youth were cute, entertaining, and enjoyed by all.

Debs from the Past, directed by Audrey Johnson, consisted of 10 dancing women, between the ages of 60-80 plus. Most of these talented ladies were alumni of the MVHS dance team when it was called Debonettes. A crowd favorite, they danced to a 50s medley number “Swing in the Mood.” They even received a standing ovation after their performance!

One of the final numbers by Pirate Motion was a lyrical dance called, “Moments we live for.” It focused on the three senior dancers who will be graduating soon, Lucy Leavitt, Olivia Leavitt and Kymber Rowley. The ending was tender as the dance team huddled together in a group hug, knowing the senior girls were headed off to new adventures.

As the dancers changed into their formal gowns, the audience was entertained by a slide show created by fellow dancer, Gracelynn Leavitt, highlighting the past dance year, remembering the good times and memories made while participating on the dance team.

The final performance began with each Pirate Motion member being introduced with her escort as she entered the stage in a beautiful gown. Each girl was highlighted and Messer mentioned a favorite memory each dancer had while being on the team. Then the couples performed a waltz called “Water,” choreographed by director Anjie Lee.

Many dancers received awards, with the final award, “Dancer of the Year,” presented to co-captain, Kimber Rowley.
“One of the things I liked most about being on the dance team was being with and bonding with the girls,” said Rowley.

Co-captain, Olivia Leavitt said she began dancing at age 3 when she studied ballet from her mom. Two of her favorite things about being on the dance team were performing at the games and showing her Pirate spirit.

Lucy Leavitt, the third senior on the team, has been dancing all of her life too. “Performing at football games and being involved with homecoming week have been fun memories for me,” she said.

Anjie Lee has coached Pirate Motion for 12 years and Esmeralda Serrano has been an assistant coach for 3 years. Lee mentioned that she has enjoyed working with Serrano.

Lee also mentioned that one of the highlights this year was to have several previous Pirate Motion members, many of whom continued their dance studies at colleges, return to choreograph dance numbers for the current team. “It was so fun to see them!” expressed Lee.