Center for Creative Arts Presents 'Mary Poppins' Dance Production

Most of us have seen the musical film Mary Poppins, but have you ever watched the story “told” by dancers on stage?

The Center for Creative Arts, a Poway-based dance company, will present its version of the classic tale during two performances at the  this Saturday.

“It tells the story of Mary Poppins entirely through dance,” said Sharlene O’Keefe, the founder and director of the Center for Creative Arts. “It’s everything. It’s ballet, tap, jazz, contemporary and hip-hop. It’s really fun!”

There are roughly 80 performers, ages 2 to 16, in the production. Dancers have been preparing for the production since January, O’Keefe said.

“It’s not just a typical dance recital,” O’Keefe said. “It’s bigger than that.”

The Center for Creative Arts organizes a large-scale production once a year. This is the first time the dance company will present Mary Poppins.

O’Keefe said the company selected Mary Poppins because it is a story both dancers and attendees can enjoy.

“We usually look for stories that the audience will relate to, will know the characters and will kind of know the storyline, so they can sit in the audience and just enjoy the performance,” she said.

“It’s really entertaining for all people,” she said. “It’s always our goal to make sure that everyone in the audience is entertained.”

The performances will take place at 11 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Saturday. Tickets range from $8-$22.

The Poway Center for the Performing Arts is located at 15498 Espola Road.

On Sunday, Friends of We Chinese, a San Diego-based organization, will celebrate Chinese art, culture, history and traditions at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.

“Songs for Our Mothers” will also honor the 10th anniversary of We Chinese in America Magazine.

The show begins at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $15, and VIP tickets cost $50.

Earlier in the week at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, choirs will present their annual Spring Choral Concert.

“A Tangled Web: A Selection of Songs Which Have Nothing to Do With One Another!” will showcase a variety of songs from popular musicals and movies, including Broadway musicals The Music Man, Les Miserables and The Pirates of Penzance, Disney movies Tangled and The Jungle Book and the television show Glee.

The concert will take place on Wednesday at 7 p.m. Tickets cost $6.

In other news, the 17th annual Southern California Band Festival, as well as the Arts and Crafts Market, will take place this weekend.

The two-day festival, which is sponsored by the City of Poway, the Pomerado Community Band and the Poway Arts and Crafts Guild, will feature community and military bands from Southern California and Arizona, and arts and crafts made by local artists. 

The free festival will take place on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m. The Arts and Crafts Market will be open on Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from noon to 5 p.m.

For more information, visit www.poway.org/oldpowaypark or call (858) 668-4576.