Cheri Lindell brought her father – 98-year-old Norm Olsen – to the Evolution Dance Independence Day celebration last year.
This year, he won’t be there on July 1, at 4 and 7 p.m. in Savannah Center for “Flags, Freedom and Fireworks.” Olsen, a World War II veteran, died during the past year.
“He loved the show,” said Lindell, a choreographer with Evolution Dance. “I watched the way he reacted and he seemed so happy. It was great – he really got caught up in the spirit. For me, It’s a wonderful memory.”
Audiences usually react that way to the program, which started three years ago. Diane Vargas, artistic director of Evolution Dance, wanted to do something special, combining music and dance for the holiday.
“We just want people to feel good about this country and celebrate the men and women of the armed forces who do so much for all of us,” she said.
This year, Vargas said, four new musical numbers will be added to the show, including
“Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness,” “Big Noise” and “I Want More.”
“We refined and retooled this year’s show,” Vargas said.
Such standards as “Grand Old Flag,” “This is Our Country” and “Goodnight Saigon” will remain, as will Frank Olive’s recitation of “I Am Flag.”
“We want to blend music and dance and make the audience feel good,” Lindell said. “It’s like a Fourth of July celebration from years ago.”
The performers include Chip and Phip Fuller, Sheena Bright, Judy Jonas, Kathy Chesley-Williams, Mollie McCarthy, Sue Schuler, Rose Bianchini, Yuri Sohn, Leslie Rosenberg, Bonnie Felicicchia, Richard Blanchard and Rosie Theiss.
Helene Yelverton, choreographer and co-artistic director, will be onstage tapping away to “Big Noise.”
Larry Rivellese, who made NBC’s “Little Big Shots” program last year – after being spotted by the network in a Villages-News.com story – will return to sing the national anthem.
All told, Evolution Dance has raised more than $65,000 from its shows to help the Military Officers Association of America and Operation Helping Hand for veterans.
