Dancing complicated choreography in boots and cowboy hats proved to be a unique challenge for the dancers in Cowboy Songs.
RICH LOPEZ | Staff writer
Rich@DallasVoice.com
This week is a big one for Bruce Wood Dance Dallas: The dance company will celebrate a milestone with its 15th Anniversary Performance & Gala on Saturday, March 29. With cowboy hats and boots, BWDD is about to serve up western experience. Fittingly enough, the event will take place at Gilley’s Dallas.
This Texas-sized extravaganza is highlighted by the return of Cowboy Songs, Bruce Wood’s tribute to the spirit of the Lone Star State.
Alex Brown (he/him) has been with the company for five years now, but this will be his first time performing the piece.
“It’s been really exciting, and we’ve been connecting with this atmosphere we’re creating,” he said as the company counted down its rehearsals and tech to Saturday.
Cowboy Songs is a set of works in two acts. Movements are choreographed to country songs by the likes of Lyle Lovett, Michael Martin Murphey and others.
But this gala doesn’t just feature the BWDD company; the night’s programming features a number of special guests.
Broadway composer Joseph Thalken will appear with a live ensemble as Grammy Award-winning artist Ginny Mac (Brave Combo) and Broadway star Jeremy Landon Hays (Les Misérables) perform the songs live as the company performs Bruce Wood’s signature choreography.
“This is going to be a powerful show and one of those experiences where the audience can step out of the day-to-day and into the Wild West,” Brown said.
Brown added that the live music will bring a different kind of energy, energy people may not be used to seeing at a BWDD performance.
“The live music I think will add a sense of connection to the audience. I think it’ll feel more like a concert with dance and even vice versa,” he said.
Dancing with boots and hats though?
“That has been very interesting. The hats can fly off, and we have to slide across the stage — in boots,” he remarked.
Originally from Atlanta, Brown learned about Bruce Wood Dance on Instagram. What attracted him to the company was its versatility and movement as well as the diverse pieces performed.
“I got the job during COVID and started in August 2020,” he said.
The experience though has been a rewarding one for the 26 year-old. Not only has he established himself within the world of professional dance, Brown is expanding his own universe with it.
“I’ve loved working with the guest artists, and I feel my time with the company is expanding my vocabulary on how to approach movement,” he said.
Ironically, Brown’s favorite part of Cowboy Songs is where much movement isn’t required from him: “The ‘Dale Evans’ piece is my favorite. All the women dance, and I sit back and watch. But let me tell you, the women of Bruce Wood can dance,” he enthused. “They take that stage and own it, and I’m so into it because they are just fierce.”
Chaired by James Williams, the gala benefits BWDD’s artistic and educational programming. The event at Gilley’s kicks off with a pre-dinner cocktail hour followed by a Texas–inspired dinner and premium seating for the performance. There will be an option to see the performance only , and everyone with a ticket can stay for the After Party with a live DJ, midway games, line dancing and more.
For tickets, visit BruceWoodDance.org/15th-anniversary.