MADISON, Wis. – A group of Wisconsin dancers got to perform at the Capitol on the state’s 175th birthday.
Wisconsin joined the Union May 29, 1848. This year, Memorial Day also fell on that date.
Organizers decided to bring Midwest Dance Center Performance Company on its first overnight performance trip. The center is based in Burlington.
“We do a lot of community performances,” said instructor Emily Mullens. “It’s not a competition group, they are strictly a give-back-to-the-community performance company.”
Dancers performed in the Capitol Rotunda for more than an hour on Monday. The dance groups included boys and girls older than 2-years-old.
Knowing it was Wisconsin’s 175th anniversary gave the performance added meaning, especially for the kids.
“To be here on a birthday, we all love birthdays,” Mullens said. “To be here to celebrate that just makes us feel very good that we can be part of that celebration.”
Lottie O’Mara, 12, never thought she’d dance at the Capitol.
“[Dancing is] fun; it’s expressive,” she said. She’s been a dancer since she was four-years-old. “It’s part of me now.”
She said she loves getting to live in a small town, and that Wisconsin has constant weather changes.
Both of them agreed on one thing: It’s Wisconsinites that make this state special.
“There are so many nice people here,” O’Mara said.
“We love the beauty, we love the people,” Mullens said.