Barton Dance Theater will host a magical, fantasy-inspired spring concert titled “Once Upon a Time” at 7 p.m. April 29 and 30 in the Fine Arts Auditorium with a live-stream option available. Children ages 4 and younger get in free. Buying tickets in advance is recommended and additional ticket information can be found at shows.bartonccc.edu. 

Barton Dance Theatre Director Danika Bielek said audience members will have tea with the Mad Hatter, dance with Anastasia, and immerse themselves into an Edgar Allen Poe story. 

“The dances are a celebration of stories,” she said. “They are inspired by fairytales, myths, literature, and even personal stories from the dancers’ lives.”

The concert is divided into two nights and will include multiple dances and guests, while allowing the audience to have enough room to socially distance. Each night will include different dances.

The show will feature guest dancers including members of the Danceography studio on April 29, and the Bethel College Academy of Performing Arts and Euphoria Dance Studio on April 30. They will share the stage with Barton’s dance technique classes and the college’s dance company, Barton Dance Theatre.

Bielek said the concert will be an unforgettable experience and the concept of the concert is that storytelling through dance helps connect the audience with the meaning of the dances in entertaining ways.

“The dancers are so excited to get back into the theatre, and in front of the audience,” she said. “Everyone is committed to creating a fun and enchanting show. We want to bring wonder and fantasy into people’s lives. This is a year when escaping into a story with a happy ending is good for the soul.”

Social distancing will be practiced and masks will be encouraged when attendees are not seated. For more information, contact Bielek at 620-792-9253 or bielekd@bartonccc.edu.