Stacie Woempner’s Dancers Studio Inc. students will efficiently squeeze in more than a half century of the history of dance in 30 minutes at the free Columbus Area Bicentennial’s Celebration On the River next week at the Upland Columbus Pump House parking lot.
Call that making the art form a fast-paced footnote of sorts; and a fun one, too.
Take a peek at rehearsal video clips of the artistic director’s eight mostly advanced teen dancers spinning and kicking and leaping their way through the various decades on the Dancers Studio Inc. Facebook page for detailed proof. Note that their exuberant and accurate presentation of the Charleston from the 1920s includes costume designer Susannah Lipinski and Woempner’s pieced-together, flapper-oriented inspiration.
“I love these kinds of pop-up shows,” said Woempner, adding that her troupe had only four weeks to prepare.
The troupe need not be the only ones moving and grooving to tunes ranging from Kenny Loggins to Donna Summer, from Woempner’s perspective.
“The audience is welcome to dance in front of the stage with us,” she said. “There will be lots of interaction.”
The dances will be presented at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 14, but the overall event will be Aug. 13-14 with live music, a laser light show, food for sale, fireworks, exhibitors and vendors, a few vintage vehicles, an unveiling of public art and more. Plus, the Pump House restaurant will be open for inside dining.
Organizers believe it could attract a few thousand people if the weather is good.
Parking is available in the Sears/Cummins Inc. lot, and in the downtown garage.
The event will also include Bartholomew County trivia questions with prizes, according to event coordinator Debra Slone.
“So people will want to brush up on some of their history,” Slone said.
The Bigger is Better Band, which proved popular at past local events such as BBQ Blues and Brew, will kick off the live music at 7 p.m. Aug. 13. Back in the 1980s, some group members toured with Indianapolis-area artists ranging from Carl Storie to Henry Lee Summer and performed on Q95 radio’s album projects full of established Hoosier artists.
The group’s mix at Celebration on the River will include mostly hits from the 1960s and 1970s, according to leader Dallas Miller. Members’ variety will stretch from The Supremes to Earth, Wind, and Fire to Chicago and KC and the Sunshine Band.
“We will feature all three female vocalists and the horn section,” said group leader Dallas Miller.
Plus, the group will highlight a contest with the crowd to gauge the popularity of two Seventies teen groups — The Osmonds and the Jackson 5.
Stone Carnival Band is set to entertain at 7 p.m. Aug. 14.
For those wishing to have some sort of keepsake for the weekend, commemorative coasters will be available for sale. Images on the coasters include the Pump House, the Bartholomew County Courthouse, and Zaharakos.
Aug. 13
5 to 11 p.m. food for sale.
7 p.m. — Bigger is Better Band.
To close the night — Laser light show.
Aug. 14
11 a.m. to 6 p.m.: History Exhibits. Overall event runs until 11 p.m.
1:30 p.m. — Unveiling of the River Lure Project
2:30 p.m. — Dancing Through the Decades
7 p.m. — Stone Carnival Band, laser light show afterward and also fireworks.
Special outdoor food menu:
- Grilled Street Corn, Cilantro Mayo, Cotija Cheese, Smoked Paprika
- Fischer Farms Cheddar Cheese Burger, Kettle Chips
- Fischer Farms Bad Elmer’s BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwich, Kettle Chips
- Champagne Velvet Bratwurst, Sauerkraut, Hoagie Bun, Kettle Chips
- Black Bean Burger, Kettle Chips
- Fisher Farms Carnitas Street Tacos, Sweet Corn Relish, Pickle Red Onion
- Tofu Street Tacos, Sweet Corn Relish, Pickle Red Onion
