If the Moiseyev Dancers come to your city...

[Lydia Leftcoast]

The Moiseyev Dancers, Russia's most famous folk dance troupe, came to Minneapolis last night and electrified the audience at Northrop Auditorium with moves that shouldn't be possible.

The first half was made up of dances based on Russian and other former Soviet traditions, all featuring either high flying jumps, dizzying footwork, or a variety of traditional moves that must be absolute murder on the knees, ankles, and toes. Quieter pieces, such as a series of old-time social dances, had touches of humor. Another piece featured one couple doing what amounted to ice dancing and pairs skating moves, only without ice or skates. There was also a very funny soccer game set to music.

They did one of the company's most famous pieces, "Partisans," which is a tribute to the soldiers who fought in World War II. It begins with dancers draped in what look like army blankets, moving about the stage so smoothly that they look as if they're on wheels. They then throw off their blankets, and each one does a short dance sequence from one of the ethnic groups of the former Soviet Union.

In the years since the end of the Soviet period, the company has added dances from other parts of the world, and this evening featured pieces from Italy, Mexico, Korea, and Argentina.

I wasn't the only one who enjoyed the show. The audience, which included everything from grade school children to the very elderly, applauded wildly and gave the troupe a real standing ovation at the end.

If they come to your city, don't hesitate to go see them! This is one of the most entertaining performing arts events I've seen in a long time.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

1. Just one kick for the Friday night crowd

Molodtsi!