BYU's Living Legends performed dances and spirit-filled songs at their recent showcase, "Seasons."
Living Legends is a BYU performing arts company that celebrates the cultural heritage of North and South America and the South Pacific through song and dance. The showcase began on Feb. 26 and ran through March 1.
“Our group focuses on three main cultures of Latins, Polynesians and Natives, but we do hope that they feel the culture of our Savior — Jesus Christ — which is the presiding culture,” Helaman Sosi, president of Living Legends, said.
Colleen Barnes, a member of Living Legends, explained the theme of this year's showcase.
“It kind of goes through this incredible story of rebirth and pride, and how we can become reborn again in Christ," Barnes said.
The performance helped Barnes feel connected to Jesus Christ and the scriptures, she said.
“I just love the spirit that I feel every single time I dance in the show," Barnes said. "There are so many times where I’m dancing on stage and I can feel the love of my ancestors, and I can feel the power of the Book of Mormon and of Christ.”
The performers wore special regalia that showcased and represented a variety of cultures.
“When we use the term 'regalia,' we are dressing up as who we are as Native people," Kelina Anderson, a member of Living Legends, said. "And by wearing something that’s made by somebody who loves you, you’re dancing for them."
The dancers put in hours of work each week to prepare for the showcase. All of that effort paid off, they said.
“The experience is just something that you dream of," Anderson said. "It’s something so special that nobody can just recreate. You have to experience it by coming and joining."
Living Legends is hosting a dance camp this summer for aspiring dancers who are interested in learning more about their culture and joining the dance group someday.