So ya think St. George doesn’t dance?

ST. GEORGE – So ya think St. George doesn’t dance? Think again: National Dance Day 2015 did not bypass Utah’s Dixie. Some 150 people filled the parking lot behind Dixie Regional Health and Performance Center, 652 S. Medical Center Drive, Saturday night with lots of fancy footwork, performances by local dance groups and an all around wet and sweaty energetic, even showery wet good time.

Zumba anyone? National Dance Day Celebration in the parking lot of Dixie Regional Health and Performance Center, St. George, Utah, July 25, 2015 |Photo by Sheldon Demke, St. George News
Zumba anyone? National Dance Day Celebration in the parking lot of Dixie Regional Health and Performance Center, St. George, Utah, July 25, 2015 |Photo by Sheldon Demke, St. George News

The event was brought by The Keil Krew and sponsored by Intermountain Healthcare’s Dixie Regional with the aim of promoting health, fun and fitness through dance.

Trained and untrained, uninhibited and energized, the crowd moved and grooved like nobody was watching – all to the cues of dance and fitness instructors from throughout the community. Represented were Desert Palms Health and Fitness Club, Vasa Fitness, Elevation Fitness, St. George Recreation Center, Summit Athletic Club, Phazes Fitness, Kalamity Dance, Sun River Jazz Dancers and The Keil Krew.

The open invitation to families found reception even with visitors to the area.

Chadwick Berezay is vacationing in St. George with his wife and three boys – a lot of testosterone, he said, which didn’t stop the Berezay family from donning pink shirts and coming out to dance.

“I have three boys who are very active and it just seemed a lot of fun to get out and do something instead of sit at home,” Berezay said grinning, “so we’re always active and that’s what we do.”

Throughout the evening the St. George Fire Department would blare its fire truck horn signaling to dancers that a cool-down was coming. On with the firehose and down came the shower, sending dancers into twirls and spins and squeals in a display that evoked images of a Shakira music video.

Sinalei Keil said: "I guess the fire is an Americanized thing; but basically for fun, I like to play with fire – don’t try it at home – but I love it … it makes me excited."  New Zealand fire point dance. National Dance Day Celebration in the parking lot of Dixie Regional Health and Performance Center, St. George, Utah, July 25, 2015 |Photo by Sheldon Demke, St. George News
Sinalei Keil said: “I guess the fire is an Americanized thing; but basically for fun, I like to play with fire – don’t try it at home – but I love it … it makes me excited.” New Zealand fire poi dance. National Dance Day Celebration in the parking lot of Dixie Regional Health and Performance Center, St. George, Utah, July 25, 2015 | Photo by Sheldon Demke, St. George News

As dusk turned to darkness, the highlight of the evening, undoubtedly, came from Sinalei Keil who performed a New Zealand fire poi dance – a breathtaking spectacle with tethered fire balls as her undulating props that virtually hynpotized the crowd and inspired her message:

We came out here to celebrate movement, thankful for our bodies, ability we have to dance, freedom of movement …

We love dancing. We believe families that dance together stay together. We like to be in the community together to dance and have fun – just enjoy the night, celebrate.

Click on photo to enlarge it, then use your left-right arrow keys to cycle through the gallery.

St. George News Editor-in-Chief Joyce Kuzmanic contributed to this report.

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @STGnews

Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2015, all rights reserved.

 

 

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10 Comments

  • Real Life July 26, 2015 at 5:41 pm

    Was this sanctioned by the church?

    • Free Parking July 26, 2015 at 8:43 pm

      Tell us all about it REAL DORK

  • anybody home July 26, 2015 at 6:21 pm

    And the City?

    • Free Parking July 26, 2015 at 11:13 pm

      The city doesn’t do anything unless the church approves of it

  • 42214 July 26, 2015 at 6:50 pm

    I had no idea St George was such a hotbed of wild, unbridled spontaneous excitement. Yawn yawn snooze!

    • anybody home July 26, 2015 at 11:14 pm

      It’s okay as long as it’s exercise. If it’s actually just for fun, the mounties will be there before you can say twist and shout…

  • Free Parking July 26, 2015 at 9:27 pm

    Hey St George news REAL LIFE made a comment about the church… you gonna send him a private message like the rest of us.?

    • Avatar photo Joyce Kuzmanic July 27, 2015 at 6:39 am

      Free Parking – it appears you don’t understand why we declined one of your comments; you’re welcome to call me – let’s talk. 🙂 435-632-0825
      Joyce
      EIC

  • Free Parking July 26, 2015 at 11:15 pm

    The city doesn’t do anything unless the church approves of it

  • sagemoon July 27, 2015 at 8:45 am

    Huh. This might have actually been fun. Too bad I was out of town.

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