Ballet dancers will perform upbeat numbers at Mayfest

Columbia County Ballet dancers will celebrate the end of their dance season Saturday with a public performance.

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The ballet's fourth annual Mayfest will be different from past events in that older dancers in the Martinez school's production company have choreographed two arrangements, said Ron Jones, the ballet's artistic director. In previous years, dancers have performed favorite pieces from that year's season.

"A number of them have asked to create something," Jones said.

The first selection is a tribute to the band Coldplay by Vitamin String Quartet followed by Becky Jane Taylor's Now We Are Free.

Three other pieces will be performed by younger dancers of the performing company.

"They're all real positive pieces," Jones said. "It's not really conducive being outdoors to do some of those more dramatic, in-depth pieces that are for a theater."

The show is also a celebration of dance, said Jones, who noted that 13 dancers would be graduating from the school's company.

Each dancer will be called on stage at the Columbia County Amphitheater to be recognized and receive a flower.

The free event starts at 5 p.m. and families are invited to watch. If it rains, the show will be moved to 5 p.m. Sunday or Tuesday.

"The thing that the dancers like doing more than anything is performing, so it's a win-win," Jones said. "They do it as a gift to (the younger dancers) and to the entire public."

For information, call (706) 860-1852 or visit www.columbiacountyballet.com.