Get in the mood with Bengaluru’s Kiara Academy of Performing Arts’ annual show

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Still from a previous performance by the students of Kiara Dance Academy | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

Every year, the Kiara Academy of Performing Arts presents a musical and this year is no exception. Titled, Out of the Ordinary , this show is part of of their In the Mood series.

“We’ve been presenting this series for the last six years, and every year it is centred around a theme. Last year, it was Take Five in homage to the popular jazz standard; this year, we’ve chosen Out of the Ordinary after Alex Warren’s ‘Ordinary’ which every body seems to enjoy,” says Wendy Dickson, Director, Kiara Academy of Performing Arts.

What we wanted to convey with the title is that our show is out of the ordinary, she adds.

The first half of the event will showcase different genres taught at the academy, says Wendy, with jazz from the 1920s and 40s, Johann Sebastian Bach in their classical segment, a special piece on a Pink number by Kiara’s intermediate students and a surprise Latin rock segment apart from live music, rock and metal tributes.

“Every year, we present popular rock artistes such as Freddie Mercury and Guns and Roses; this year will see a trio of popular rock favorites which will include a medley of six songs during which the dance team will groove across the stage.”

The second half of Out of the Ordinary will include a Disney and a rock musical.

According to Wendy, some members of the troupe who are now in their early 20s have been with her since the age of four. “Today, they want to bring their creativity, ideas and interpretations to the show and I let them. They see the world with fresh, new eyes and bring that offbeat and unexpected energy to the stage as well.”

Over the past eight years, Kiara has been supporting the Bosco Rainbow Home for Girls with a portion of the proceeds from their shows. This NGO provides shelter and education for girls between the ages of four to 16 who have been rescued from dangerous situations and are undergoing rehabilitation.

“Ever since I first visited them and saw how solid this cause is, we have been supporting them,” says Wendy.

Out of the Ordinary has been curated by Kiara’s Assistant Director Tina Dickson Franco and choreographed by her 19-year-old daughter Rachel Ann Franco.

In the Mood: Out of the Ordinary will be performed at Chowdiah Memorial Hall on August 28 at 7pm and August 29 at 6pm. Tickets starting from ₹499 are available on District and at Lusitania Stores on Brigade Road and Mosque Road. Call 98808 55688 for details.

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