The Loudest Applause

Last night something wonderful happened.   Every year a music festival is held in the town where I live.  Yesterday was the beginning of the dance section and I knew my granddaughter would be dancing from Friday night through Monday night.  It is always my habit to go early to secure a good parking spot and I wait in the lobby of the theatre.  There was listed in the program for last night a group called "Community Group".    This group is made up of mentally challenged individuals  that come on-stage with their helpers.  Last year they did "Footloose" costumed as cowboys and brought the house down.  I hoped that this was the same group that would be dancing last night.

As I waited in the lobby, the solo and group dancers began to arrive, some carrying costumes, all beautifully made up.  Then two young men arrived with accompanying adults and they greeted each other heartily.  I knew that they were part of the Community group.

The program began with solo dancers, each well trained and well choreographed, floating across the stage on pointe.  Beautiful to behold.  Then came the group dancers, also well trained and well choreographed with costumes to match the music.  They danced in perfect unison.

Then it was time for the Community Group, and music called "This Is Us" began to play.  The same young man that I saw downstairs was accompanied by another adult.  He had a huge smile on his face, and was dressed as a magician complete with top hat and wand.   He waved his wand and drew a toy rabbit out of his hat, perfectly joyful to be there.  The audience erupted with shouts and loud applause.  Then it became clear that this year, instead of being cowboys, they were acts in a circus.  The magician stayed where he was and three more people came to the stage carrying hula hoops.  One  girl made hers do circles on the floor, while another spun hers on her arm, and they also received applause.  But the man who was with them was having trouble getting his to circle around his arm, but he tried again and the hula hoop went in a perfect circle.  The audience was hugely responsive and by now the  applause went on and on.  Next a young man dressed as a clown rode a hobby horse across the stage and the applause became louder.  Then a pause and two people carried a rope to the stage and laid it down end to end.  This was followed by several adults who followed each other stepping along the rope, and suddenly we could envision them walking across a tightrope suspended high in the air.  They were waving and smiling, so full of joy.  By this time the applause was deafening and for myself, I had a lump in my throat  because for this group, this was not a competition.  They were dancing for the sheer joy it brought them, and I know that we, the audience were filled with joy watching them.  

Tonight the competition will go on,  the dancers will be beautifully costumed, well trained and well choreographed.  They will do their best and there will be awards.  Perhaps some of them will be nervous, and some will be more confident.  But as much as I enjoy watching this competition every year, I confess I have a special spot in my heart for the Community Group and the joy with which they do their dance.   Just because one is challenged, no matter what that challenge may be, you can do it!

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