dance

William Starrett's choreography and Felix Mendelssohn's music are set to combine for onstage whimsy in Columbia and Charleston this February.

William Starrett has been dancing since he was a small child. His talent was recognized early, earning him the spotlight with prestigious dance companies such as the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, American Ballet Theatre, Eglevsky Ballet, and The Joffrey Ballet.

From the jump, jazz and dance have been inseparable—born in the same spaces of joy, resistance, and rhythm.

“B” is for Big Apple. This dance was born in the mid-1930s in a Black nightclub operated by a man named Fat Sam on Park Street in downtown Columbia, in what was once the House of Peace Synagogue.

“B” is for Big Apple. This dance was born in the mid-1930s in a Black nightclub operated by a man named Fat Sam on Park Street in downtown Columbia, in what was once the House of Peace Synagogue.

When the dance known as the waltz first became popular in Europe in the late 1700's and early 1800's, it was considered by many to be the ultimate in lewdness and licentiousness.

When the dance known as the waltz first became popular in Europe in the late 1700's and early 1800's, it was considered by many to be the ultimate in lewdness and licentiousness.

When the dance known as the waltz first became popular in Europe in the late 1700's and early 1800's, it was considered by many to be the ultimate in lewdness and licentiousness.

When the dance known as the waltz first became popular in Europe in the late 1700's and early 1800's, it was considered by many to be the ultimate in lewdness and licentiousness.

Nigel Redden, General Director of the Spoleto Festival USA, talks with Jeanette Guinn about the extraordinary range of offerings for 2017.