HATTIESBURG — FestivalSouth will celebrate American dance culture Saturday with “Stars and Steps Forever!,” a performance that will be filmed by CNN for the network’s America 250 coverage.
The program is scheduled for 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Mannoni Performing Arts Center at The University of Southern Mississippi.
The performance will showcase elements of ballet, jazz, Broadway, Latin, tango and hip-hop to tell the story of a particular dance or piece of American history.
Performers in the program will include Ballet Magnificat!, Carol Merrill Academy of Dance, Gabriel Cavallini and his partner, Louisiana Dance Roots, Mississippi School of the Arts, On Your Toes Dance Studio, South Mississippi Ballet Theatre and Kinetic Etchings.
Tracy Smith, dance coordinator for FestivalSouth, said many notable performers are from the state and that she is glad to help keep the area on people’s radar.
“I think it’s so important that people know how insanely talented people of Mississippi are, the Hattiesburg region in particular,” Smith said before crediting the community, particularly local universities, music departments and studios.
Smith also said it’s fantastic for Mississippi and Hattiesburg to be put in a positive national spotlight.
Mike Lopinto, artistic director for FestivalSouth, said Hattiesburg’s community support has turned FestivalSouth into an economic and arts driver for the city.
“Hattiesburg is so lucky to be a sports town and an arts town,” Lopinto said. “Typically, in the three weeks of FestivalSouth, about $2 million is generated for the economy.”
Lopinto also said attendees don’t need to dress up, given the heat that comes with a Mississippi summer festival.
“I think come prepared to escape and enjoy, maybe learn a bit along the way,” Lopinto said. “Come and enjoy. Most of our events are inside.”
