Beyond the Borders is fun, musical, rhythmic, entertaining

Hugh McMillan, KP News

Leif Totusek and Lora Chiorah mesmerize their sun-bathed audience with songs and dances from Zimbabwe and induce a large number of them to participate in Zimbabwean dance led by Chiora. Photo by Hugh McMillan

Thanks largely to the persistence of those who attended last year’s outstandingly entertaining performance of Beyond the Borders, its organizer, Mark Runions, again put together a splendid assembly of top musical groups for last month’s audiences, many of whom were repeats from last year. All ages and persuasions were there and had a ball.

Ancient Sounds’ captivating musical renditions of tunes from Native American to Brazilian to African keep an enthralled audience swaying to the rhythms of Danick Jawrer vocals, Larry Jones on drums, Ken Curtiss on keyboard and bass, Rob Pastorok on keyboard, and Margo and Gary Leatham on didgeridoo, some 20 flutes from around the world, and vocals. Photo by Hugh McMillan

As with last year, it was a joint endeavor of the Longbranch Improvement Club and the Two Waters Arts Alliance.

Performances by the Mooncoyne provided traditional Irish music. Leif Totusek and Lora Chiora’s Zimbabwean rhythms, song, and dance lured scores of attendees to dance on the grass led by Chiora.

Ancient Sounds’ exquisite renditions of tunes from Native American to Brazilian to African kept an audience swaying.

Returned by popular demand from its 2007 performance at Beyond the Borders, the group Abrace, which means “Embrace” in Portuguese and Spanish, lured its large audience into swaying with its rhythms for an hour of inspiring vocal and instrumental performances.

At breaks between these outdoor presentations, inside the Longbranch Improvement Club, the Percussion Intermission group led by Dale Loy poured out a smooth demanding beat that had the floor bouncing with appreciative rhythm lovers.

Two Waters Arts Alliance sponsored displays of judged art from water colors and acrylics to oils, charcoal and pencil portraiture, to photography. All entries were open to “People’s Choice” voting and, as with last year’s competition, Key Peninsula’s Beverly Pedersen walked off with the honor.

A fenced-off beer garden made it possible for adults to enjoy a cool one to accompany whatever food they gathered from the repeat delicious offerings of Ali’I and Sumo’s Hawaiian Grill.

Many said, “We can’t wait until next year.”

Zimbabwe song and dance by Leif Totusek and Lora Chiorah (l to r). Photo by Danna Webster