She can sing a song.
She can tell a joke.
She can captivate an audience.
But can Petrina dance?
“I’ve never worked with dancers before,” Petrina said after a recent rehearsal with the Evolution Dance group. “I’ve just got to go with the flow and be confident.”
No worry, says Carter Poust, a professional dancer who will share the stage with Petrina in Evolution’s “Dancing on the Edge,” Jan. 31 and Feb. 1 in the Savannah Center.
“Petrina is tremendous fun,” Poust said after the two of them combined in fast-paced, sweaty workout to Lady Gaga’s song, “The Edge of Glory.” Watch a rehearsal video of the song here:
“Petrina has a great heart and a powerful and dynamic presence on stage,” Poust added. “She brings a fresh take to what we’re trying to do. She’s not a trained dancer but she works hard and follows along. She knows how to move on stage.”
Petrina, who lives in The Villages, is one of the most popular performers here. Her raucous, energetic and warm style has captured fans throughout the area.
Petrina is mainly known as a singer who can cover any style of music from Pink to the Andrews Sisters.
But being on stage with a couple dozen experienced dancers in a tightly choreographed number is another matter.
“I’m trying to keep everything straight, so I don’t bump into somebody when doing a lift,” said the performer, wearing a costume that included an elaborate black leather jacket and enough sequined-silver feathers to make Lady Gaga proud.
In addition to all the dancing, Petrina still has to sing the lyrics.
“This is multi-tasking,” she said. “You have to make sure you have the right words and the right moves.”
So far, Petrina has passed the dancing test.
“She’s a talented singer and moves well,” said Diane Vargas, head of Evolution Dance and a former prima ballerina. “People will see a different side of Petrina in this show. It’s a big challenge for her and she’s working hard.”
The same could be said for Evolution Dance, formerly known as VAMPS. The company now features male dancers and this will be its first, major stage production.
“It’s a transition for us,” Vargas said. The event will feature “a merging” of classical, modern, ballet, jazz and tap styles.
“It’s going to be in your face and powerful,” Vargas said. Among the numbers include songs from “An American In Paris;” “Anything Goes” and a tap number on “Yankee Doodle Dandy.”
Evolution Dance is continuing the tradition of raising money for Operation Helping Hand, which benefits families of injured military veterans. The VAMPS dancers started helping that group nearly a decade ago and has raised nearly $60,000 for Operation Helping Hand.