As someone who thrives on creativity, it's important for me to immerse myself in creative opportunities. This summer, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the Death's Door Dance Festival in Door County for the second year in a row. It was an amazing four-day experience filled with dance, performances, delicious food, and camping, but what truly made it special was the chance to connect with like-minded friends. After attending the festival last year, we all decided to extend our stay this time, and I'm so grateful that we did! This festival spans three days and takes place in various stunning locations across Door County, Wisconsin, including Ellison Bay, Ephraim, and Sister Bay. It offers free master classes and performances by talented professional artists from all corners of the nation.
Our weekend getaway kicked off on a Thursday when we gathered at our campground to set everything up. Two of my friends had an RV, which would be our cozy home for the next three nights. We chose to stay at the Hy-Land Campground in Ellison Bay, and I can't say enough good things about this incredible campground! Nestled among trees, it offered a serene and tranquil setting while being conveniently located near all the places we wanted to visit for our dance-filled weekend. The campground also provided full hookup, allowing us to make the most of the RV's amenities, including the luxury of proper bathrooms!
Once we were settled in, we decided to take a little excursion to the nearby Seaquist Orchard's Farm Market. This delightful market offered a wonderful selection of local crafts and food for purchase, including the famous Door County cherries. What's more, they have a cherry grove right on the property, ensuring that all the cherries are locally grown. It was also a relief to find that they sold various grocery items, so the convenience of being able to walk there and pick up anything we might have forgotten was truly invaluable.
 |
| Our campsite at Hy-Land Campground in Ellison Bay |
On our first evening, we attended a performance at Peninsula Players, which was an entirely new experience for me. Peninsula Players is a distinguished professional theater company that stages five productions during the summer season. Their venue, mostly outdoors but also partially covered, boasts a garden overlooking the picturesque Bay of Green Bay, where we indulged in some delightful drinks before the show. The production we watched was "The Angel Next Door", an original piece created by one of their talented professional actors. While certain parts of the play were genuinely amusing, I must admit that it didn't quite resonate with me. The storyline seemed somewhat convoluted, and the overall setup felt a bit haphazard. Despite my reservations about the play, I must say that I thoroughly enjoyed the overall ambiance and the entire experience. One tip to remember for next time – if given the choice between the upper lot and the lower lot for parking, always opt for the lower lot. The upper lot, where I parked, required backing into the parking spot, a skill that I admittedly lack proficiency in – reverse parking is definitely not my strong suit! LOL
Our Friday began with a culinary adventure! We firmly believe that breakfast is the cornerstone of any good day, so naturally, we were eager to start our day at Al Johnson's. This uniquely charming Swedish restaurant in Sister Bay is renowned for its roof-dwelling goats. Unfortunately, the long two-hour wait dashed our hopes of dining there, so we decided to venture up to Ellison Bay in search of an alternative breakfast spot before our first Master Class. To our delight, we stumbled upon The Blue Bear Restaurant nestled along HWY 42. Finding parking was a breeze, and we were promptly seated outside with no wait time. The fare surpassed our expectations – my omelette was an absolute delight, and the specialty coffees were simply divine. Suffice to say, we've now declared this gem as our go-to breakfast destination!
After indulging in a satisfying meal, we made our way to our first Master Class. I know, it might seem like an odd choice to dive into a rigorous dance class right after eating, but we were up for the challenge. For those not familiar, a Master Class is an opportunity to learn from professionals in a particular field, and in this case, it was a class led by experienced dancers as part of the festival.
Our first class was "Mindfulness through Movement" facilitated by Simone Ferro. This class centered around myofascial work, a form of movement that uses the natural restrictions within the body, helping dancers gain deeper insight into their physical capabilities and enhance their flexibility. Initially, I had doubts about whether this class was the right fit for me, but upon completion, I found myself invigorated. The level of difficulty was just right - it was challenging without being overwhelming, akin to a blend of beginner's Yoga infused with elements of dance. To add to the experience, there was live music throughout the entire class, making the session even more enriching.
 |
| Our first class! |
As our class came to an end, we made our way back to our campsite to relax and recharge. After a short break, a group of us decided to indulge in a wine-tasting experience at Stone's Throw Winery, which happens to be my absolute favorite winery. The evening was then dedicated to a visit to Hidden Acres Farm in Ellison Bay for the much-anticipated Pop-Up performance. While the event was a scaled-down version of the main performance scheduled for Saturday, it did not disappoint. There were some truly exceptional artists, including a captivating Vogue performance, showcasing the popular dance movement, as well as an exquisite display of Indian dancing (which I'll delve into later). However, I couldn't help but notice that some of the acts could benefit from a bit of fine-tuning and editing, perhaps owing to my background in directing.
The setting of Hidden Acres Farm, nestled amidst the woodlands with its charming historic farm buildings, provided the perfect backdrop for the event. One of the best parts was that we were allowed to bring our own food and drinks, so I made sure to pack a box of wine and a selection of snacks for the occasion. Following the performance, we made our way to Osteri Tre Tassi for dinner, which unfortunately turned out to be quite late. This elegant restaurant is known for its specialization in Italian cuisine, and while the food was undeniably excellent, our dining experience was somewhat marred by the subpar service. We had to wait an unusually long time before a server finally attended to us, even after we inquired about our waiter. It seemed that there was some confusion regarding the responsibilities for our table. Despite the relatively light crowd, we waited nearly 25 minutes before we could even place our drink order, and unfortunately, the restaurant did not make sufficient efforts to compensate for this inconvenience. It's worth noting that while the restaurant wasn't packed, it wasn't empty either.
 |
| Pop-up performance at Hidden Acres Farm in Ellison Bay |
 |
| Naturally we brought some goodies to enjoy the performance |
 |
| The entire group together! |
Saturday morning kicked off with a visit to Skip Stone Coffeehouse in Sister Bay. As a self-proclaimed coffee aficionado, it was imperative for me to indulge in a cup of joe from one of my treasured spots. Although the wait was a tad bit longer, the rich aroma and the soothing ambiance made it worthwhile. I even found a perfect spot outdoors by the shores of Lake Michigan, where I took in the captivating waters while enjoying my book, savoring the moments of tranquility before the start of our second Master Class. It truly was a rejuvenating morning.
 |
| Skipstone Coffeehouse in Sister Bay |
For our second Master Class, our group split up to attend different dance classes. Lisa and I chose to take the Musical Theater Pop class in Sister Bay, which was taught by Owen Albado. Meanwhile, Debra and Liz opted for the Swing Dancing class in Ellison Bay, taught by Kristen Harker and Pate Nassalong (more on Pate Nassalong below). We had a fantastic experience with Owen Albado last year, and although the class really challenged us, it was absolutely amazing. Furthermore, I had suffered a severe leg injury right after last year's festival, so naturally, I was a bit apprehensive about diving straight back into this challenging dance class. However, I was determined to push myself because, as they say, dancing truly is the best therapy! Despite not being able to do everything, I was able to participate in most of the activities. What really added to the fun of the class was that Lisa's daughter was also present, along with her dance team friends (representing New Fusion!). It was such a joyful experience to witness the younger generation enjoying the class and effortlessly pulling off the dance moves.
 |
| Our 2nd class with Lisa's daughter |
For a late lunch, our group headed to Boathouse on the Bay, a waterfront restaurant that we went to for the first time last year. We unanimously decided on the crab rolls, and they were nothing short of perfection! The crab meat had the ideal texture, and when paired with the buttery, flaky bun, it created a harmonious blend of flavors that still has my mouth watering at the thought. It was the perfect refreshing meal to enjoy on a hot day.
In our third Master Class, we had the opportunity to learn Kathak, a traditional Indian dance form, under the guidance of Varsha Prasad. This class was a unique and fascinating experience for me as I had never explored Indian dance before. The precision and finesse required for each movement were incredibly challenging, but what truly stood out was the emphasis on using facial expressions in Kathak. As Americans, we are often encouraged to be reserved in expressing our emotions, so this was a refreshing departure from the norm.
On Saturday night, we dressed up for the main performance at the Sister Bay Pavilion, which featured a lineup of outstanding acts, including acclaimed professional dance companies such as the Milwaukee Ballet. Before I delve into the highlights of the performances, I must mention the generous swag bag I received as a donor to the festival. It included treats such as cheese, wine, and scrumptious bread, adding an extra touch of luxury to the evening. Additionally, having reserved front-row seats made the experience even more special, especially given the high attendance at the event.
Every performance was truly spectacular, but a few stood out as favorites. Pate Nassalong, the instructor from the swing class, performed with infectious energy and smoothness, captivating the audience with every move. However, the standout performances of the night came from Visceral Dance Company and Waterstreet Dance. Visceral Dance Company's performance left me utterly speechless and moved to tears. Their artistry garnered a well-deserved standing ovation, and I continue to replay the videos I captured to relive the mesmerizing experience. Similarly, Waterstreet Dance Company's performance was a sight to behold. After enchanting us with their exceptional talent last year, their performance this year surpassed all expectations.
 |
| SWAG! |
 |
| Visceral Dance Company |
 |
| Waterstreet Dance Company |
As the night drew to a close, we made our way back to our cozy campsite nestled in the woods. After changing into comfortable clothes, we settled around the crackling fire, a proud creation of our own hands. Conversation flowed freely as we reflected on the performances we had just witnessed and shared stories about our classes. The bond of creative friendship and the tranquil ambiance provided the perfect conclusion to our extraordinary weekend.
Anticipation already builds for our return next year, and for many years to come. It's amazing how this wonderful getaway is practically in my own backyard - just a couple of hours away in Door County. It satisfied my longing for not only captivating performances but also classes that allowed me to unleash my creativity. This immersive experience truly nourished my soul.
Artists and performances mentioned above-www.deathsdoordancefestival.com
Comments
Post a Comment