By Gabriella Bancheri
If you’ve never seen the Harlem Globetrotters perform, it’s basically an interactive comedy show on the basketball court, peppered with some impressive tricks. It’s a game/show where sports and theater are combined for oohs, aahs and a good laugh.
Typically attracting families and youngsters, the Globetrotters have been entertaining for nearly a century. The team, however, is never alone: there’s always some local talent performing by their side.
For the game’s halftime show last week, Boardwalk Hall invited the Encore Performing Arts Center of Egg Harbor Township to perform a choreographed show which featured dancers from ages 5 to 18.
The Globetrotters are known for their local interaction, both in and out of the game. And because they leave their halftime shows open, it gives the communities in which they perform a chance to showcase some of their up-and-coming talent. And South Jersey certainly isn’t short of talent when it comes to dance.
This was the Encore students’ first time performing during this event – which had an audience of several thousand – yet they seemed to be naturals in front of a crowd. The dancers showcased their skills while clearly having fun.
Some of the Globetrotters’ previous halftime performers have included Kendall Vertes from the iconic reality drama, “Dance Moms,” and dancers of a variety of ages and from studios all over the world.
I was floored by some of the young talent on the dance floor, or shall I say, dance court. At one point, I even suspected that some of the dancers performing were instructors, but they weren’t. The dancers were all students.
If Encore’s young talent is any indication of the caliber of performing arts in South Jersey, it’s definitely worth keeping up with our local shows and where these students will be performing in the future.
Don’t tell the Globetrotters, but I’d say I enjoyed the dancing more than the show itself!
Gabriella is a Ventnor City resident and graduate of the University of London with an MA in Creative Writing and Publishing. Her writing is featured in a variety of digital publications ranging from food and beverage to literature to ecotourism.
