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Home > Blogs > Arts and Entertainment > Archives > 2008 > September > 22 > Entry
Rhythm in Shoes to disband
The music and dance company Rhythm in Shoes has announced that the 2009-10 season will be its last.
“Nothing’s wrong. It’s just time,” managing director Noreen Willhelm said Monday, Sept. 22.
Co-artistic director Sharon Leahy said the troupe she co-founded in 1987 will devote “the next year and a half to celebrating all the work we’ve done, the people we’ve worked with and the community we’ve built. This has been an incredible run. We just decided that now’s the time to try something else.”
The company will open its 2008-9 season with performances Nov. 15 and 16 in the Young at Heart Series at the Victoria Theatre.
Other events will include the 10th annual “Holiday on Thin Ice” shows at Gilly’s nightclub, a musical adaptation of “Beowulf” called “Brother Wolf” with The Human Race Theatre Company, school programs with the Muse Machine, and a Cityfolk concert with world champion Lakota hoop dancers Dallas Chief Eagle and Jasmine Pickner.
The company’s unique mixture of tap and clog dance, traditional music and original tunes played live was “a vision born in a time when the performing arts were flourishing and innovation was valued,” Leahy said. “We’ve had many successful years both artistically and financially.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2377 or tmorris@DaytonDailyNews.com.
Permalink | Comments (6) | Post your comment | Categories: Dance
Comments
By Julia Reichert
September 23, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
This is very sad news. Rhythm and Shoes is part of our lives, and a most delightful part. Their performances never fail to lift us up, get us laughing and leave us reflecting on the big issues. Is it financial constraints that brings on this decision, or the desire of the players to push in very new directions? Shoes took their unique form in so many directions! I admire them deeply as artists, and plan to see as many of their remaining performances as possible, to drink in their sights and sounds before they are no more. Good luck to every one of the troupe!By Julia Reichert
September 23, 2008 11:50 AM | Link to this
This is very sad news. Rhythm and Shoes is part of our lives, and a most delightful part. Their performances never fail to lift us up, get us laughing and leave us reflecting on the big issues. Is it financial constraints that brings on this decision, or the desire of the players to push in very new directions? Shoes took their unique form in so many directions! I admire them deeply as artists, and plan to see as many of their remaining performances as possible, to drink in their sights and sounds before they are no more. Good luck to every one of the troupe!By Julia Reichert
September 23, 2008 11:51 AM | Link to this
This is very sad news. Rhythm and Shoes is part of our lives, and a most delightful part. Their performances never fail to lift us up, get us laughing and leave us reflecting on the big issues. Is it financial constraints that brings on this decision, or the desire of the players to push in very new directions? Shoes took their unique form in so many directions! I admire them deeply as artists, and plan to see as many of their remaining performances as possible, to drink in their sights and sounds before they are no more. Good luck to every one of the troupe! And thank you!By Julia Reichert
September 23, 2008 12:34 PM | Link to this
This is very sad news. Rhythm and Shoes is part of our lives, and a most delightful part. Their performances never fail to lift us up, get us laughing and leave us reflecting on the big issues. Is it financial constraints that brings on this decision, or the desire of the players to push in very new directions? Shoes took their unique form in so many directions! I admire them deeply as artists, and plan to see as many of their remaining performances as possible, to drink in their sights and sounds before they are no more. Good luck to every one of the troupe! And thank you!By Jeanne Palermo
September 23, 2008 3:35 PM | Link to this
Thank you Rhythm and Shoes for your many years of wonderful performances. How about a DVD of highlights of past performances (and upcoming ones)to remember you by?By Patty Rosely
September 28, 2008 2:13 PM | Link to this
Rhythm in Shoes is the music and dance company that brings together people from all walks of life to celebrate the creative spirit and the heart and soul of community. Both high art and art of and for the people, I celebrate the ah-ha moments I have experienced as an audience member and supporter since 1991. I mourn for the future audiences who will never experience the power and joy of a live performance by this incredible collaborative of artists, led by the phenomenal Rick Good and Sharon Leahy.