For many dancers, Built On Stilts is a life-long tradition. Isla Luckey, for example, said she started performing at the summer dance festival when she was six years old.
For many dancers, Built On Stilts is a life-long tradition. Isla Luckey, for example, said she started performing at the summer dance festival when she was six years old.
This year Isla turned 12 and she was back at it over the weekend, warming up on Saturday on the grounds of Union Chapel. Onstage, Ms. Luckey performed a blackbird-themed lyrical piece with the group Advancedshop, taking on a birdlike quality of movement as the dancers soared across the stage.
“I love being able to perform and be out on stage knowing that people aren’t there to judge,” she said.
Drum circle opens each performance.
Drum circle opens each performance.
This year’s festival opened on August 7 and continued through the weekend. Remaining shows are August 16, 17 and 18, beginning each night at 8 p.m. at Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs.
The annual event is celebrating its 28th year, begun in 1997 by Abby Bender and Anna Luckey.
Alise Haigazian was back for her 23rd Built on Stilts, with her dance company Island Hip Hop.
“We’re performing a hip hop piece to close the show, and the theme is villain, so we are three sets of female villains Cruella Deville, the Queen of Hearts, and Harley Quinn,” she said.
Ms. Haigazian said she began taking part in the festival when she was a student of Kelly Peters. She eventually started her own dance company and performs each summer with her students.
Boots on the ground at Union Chapel.
Boots on the ground at Union Chapel.
Ms. Haigazian said her favorite part about being a part of Built on Stilts is the community it builds.
“Everyone comes together for their love of the arts, and I think that’s really special and also really needed on the Vineyard,” she said.
Stephanie Simpson was taking part in the festival for her 11th year, though her dance partner, Amanda Cole, was a Built on Stilts first-timer.
“Abby does a great job at bringing a bunch of different people together, creating a diverse group of performers and different ways of expression and it’s always so fun,” Ms. Simpson said.
Ms. Simpson and Ms. Cole met 15 years ago, doing a gig together in Europe, and have been good friends ever since. On Saturday, they performed a duet built on themes of connectivity as Ms. Cole sang center of the stage while Ms. Simpson danced around her.
Betty Bootleg struts her stuff.
Betty Bootleg struts her stuff.
Ms. Cole said as a Built on Stilts newcomer she was excited by the broad range of performers and dancers in the show.
“There’s another singer on the program who’s awesome and I’ve just never been part of such a community-fueled event like this, I think it’s great,” Ms. Cole said.
After a successful first weekend, Ms. Bender said she is now looking forward to the upcoming shows.
“It’s been a banner opening weekend of super wonderful audiences, diverse work and a lot of new people performing which has been exciting,” she said. “I look forward to more of the same, just with some new artists who haven’t performed.”
All shows are free and open to the public.
For more information, visit builtonstilts.org.
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