Beaverton’s miniature stage showcases global dance traditions

The hum of conversation quiets as a drumbeat signals the start of the opening dance. A lone performer steps into a chalk-drawn circle and is introduced as Coatlicue, the Aztec earth goddess. All eyes follow her as she rhythmically moves her feet, sounds emanating from the rattles at her ankles.

Seated on picnic blankets in the outdoor amphitheater at The Round in Beaverton, hundreds of families watched in silence Saturday, captivated by the opening act of Ten Tiny Dances. The annual event, now in its 15th year, offers an evening of free live entertainment centered around contemporary and cultural styles of dance that have been adapted for a miniature stage. Performers dance on a 4-by-4 foot platform which stands 18 inches off the ground.

For many attendees, watching Ten Tiny Dances is an annual tradition. For others, like the Carlos family of Woodburn, the tradition is performing. The family of six has participated in the event on and off for about 14 years as Ritual Azteca Huitzilopochtli. This year marks a milestone: it’s the first time all four Carlos siblings are performing on their own at Ten Tiny Dances.

The performance is rooted in traditional Mexican dance, which involves dancing barefoot, marking feet firmly on the ground and moving to live drum music. Each dance is typically a story about nature or an animal. This year’s performance focused on balance between the four elements.

“Dancing for us isn’t just a performance,” said mom Kelly Carlos. “It’s more like a lifestyle.”

The dance, choreographed by recent high school graduate Quetzalli Carlos, assigned each sibling a symbolic role: Tonalli represents earth, Ameyalli water, Quetzalli fire and Ollin air. Their parents, José and Kelly Carlos, accompanied them on drums.

“We’re trying to spread the message of the unity of the four elements,” Quetzalli said. “The four elements are what keep us alive… And it’s also about reminding ourselves to be grateful for those elements.”

The siblings shared the stage in traditional Aztec dress with large plumed headdresses and anklets that jingled with each step. Their performance was just the first of ten similarly unique dances.

The tiny-stage tradition originated inside Crush Wine Bar in 2002, when founder Mike Barber was looking to create a fundraiser in a small space. He built the 4-by-4 foot stage to fit the intimate venue.

“My friends and I — there were 10 of us — performed on that stage and on the bar,” Barber said. “It was a wild success, much bigger than we expected. And I decided to keep doing it.”

Since then, Ten Tiny Dances has been licensed and recreated all over the country.

The Beaverton show on Saturday evening included ten performances, which spanned a variety of cultural and contemporary styles. Traditional Aztec, Indian, Ethiopian and Mexican dancers performed, while some contemporary dances were inspired by Chinese and Buddhist concepts. The cultural component, said Debi Thompson, program coordinator for the arts program in Beaverton, is extremely important to the city.

“Beaverton is one of the largest cities in Oregon with the highest number of cultural diversity,” Thompson said. “I believe there’s over 100 different languages spoken or represented just in the Beaverton School District.”

For attendee Lori Friend, the cultural diversity is what stands out most — and what keeps her coming back.

“I just love the cultural aspect of it, and seeing the different dances from around the world,” Friend said.

Performers used the stage in inventive ways, weaving in audience interaction, historical context, visual projections, family stories and personal narratives.

“We’re used to big stages, open space where we can jump big and leap, and that’s totally constrained in the tiny space,” Barber said. “So sometimes the challenge is, ‘How do I still move big in a small space?’ Sometimes it’s the other direction: ‘How can I make very small movements really interesting?’”

Barber, alongside a panel of judges, selects performers with the goal of creating a well-rounded lineup that includes both emerging and established artists, as well as a balance between culturally diverse and contemporary works.

“As traditional dancers, we really appreciate towns like Beaverton that seem like they really value the arts,” said Kelly Carlos. “The audience …is here because they want something. They want that cultural experience. So they come with an open mind.”

— Chiara Profenna covers religion, faith and cultural connections. Reach her at 503-221-4327; [email protected] or @chiaraprofenna.

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