The vibrant atmosphere of The Round in Beaverton, Oregon, transformed as the sounds of conversation faded, giving way to the strong beats of drums signaling the start of Ten Tiny Dances.
As the opening act commenced, a lone performer emerged into a chalk-drawn circle, captivating the audience with her presentation as Coatlicue, the Aztec earth goddess.
Families gathered on picnic blankets in the outdoor amphitheater, their eyes glued to the stage, captivated by the rhythmic movements and sounds generated by rattles on the dancer’s ankles.
This year, the annual event, now in its 15th year, celebrates a unique blend of contemporary and cultural dance performances, all adapted for a miniature stage.
Performers showcased their artistry on a 4-by-4 foot platform elevated 18 inches from the ground, creating a profound experience for attendees.
For many, Ten Tiny Dances has become a cherished tradition, with the Carlos family of Woodburn embodying this sentiment.
Having participated on and off for around 14 years as Ritual Azteca Huitzilopochtli, this year holds special significance, as all four Carlos siblings perform independently for the first time.
Their dance roots lie deeply in traditional Mexican practices, emphasizing dance barefoot to the rhythm of live drums, with each performance narrating stories of nature or animals.
This year, the family’s dance theme focused on the harmony between the four elements.
Kelly Carlos, the matriarch of the family, articulated the essence of their performances, stating, “Dancing for us isn’t just a performance; it’s more like a lifestyle.”
Quetzalli Carlos, a recent high school graduate, took charge of the choreography, assigning symbolic roles to each sibling—Tonalli as earth, Ameyalli as water, Quetzalli as fire, and Ollin as air.
Their parents, José and Kelly Carlos, provided the rhythmic support with live drumming throughout the performance.
Quetzalli emphasized the message behind their performance, noting, “We’re trying to spread the message of the unity of the four elements.
The four elements are what keep us alive… And it’s also about reminding ourselves to be grateful for those elements.”
Dressed in traditional Aztec attire, adorned with large plumed headdresses and jingling anklets, the siblings’ performance marked only the beginning of an evening filled with unique dance presentations.
Ten Tiny Dances has an inspiring history, originating in 2002 at Crush Wine Bar, where founder Mike Barber constructed the small stage to host intimate performances.
“My friends and I—there were 10 of us—performed on that stage and on the bar,” Barber recounted.
The event exceeded expectations and created a lasting tradition, which has since been licensed and replicated across the nation.
This year’s Beaverton gathering featured ten performances, showcasing a variety of cultural and contemporary dance styles.
Dancers represented traditional Aztec, Indian, Ethiopian, and Mexican cultural heritage, while contemporary works drew inspiration from Chinese and Buddhist themes.
Debi Thompson, Beaverton’s program coordinator for the arts, highlighted the importance of cultural diversity, stating, “Beaverton is one of the largest cities in Oregon with the highest number of cultural diversity.
I believe there’s over 100 different languages spoken or represented just in the Beaverton School District.”
Attendee Lori Friend expressed her appreciation for the diversity of the event, sharing, “I just love the cultural aspect of it, and seeing the different dances from around the world.”
The performances utilized the limited stage space creatively, integrating audience interaction, historical context, visual storytelling, and personal narratives into their routines.
Barber reflected on the challenge dancers face when adapting their performances to the small stage, stating, “We’re used to big stages, open space where we can jump big and leap, and that’s totally constrained in the tiny space.
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?'”
Alongside a panel of judges, Barber carefully curates a balanced lineup that embraces both emerging and established artists from diverse cultural backgrounds.
In expressing appreciation, Kelly Carlos noted, “As traditional dancers, we really appreciate towns like Beaverton that seem to value the arts.
The audience… is here because they want something.
They want that cultural experience.
So they come with an open mind.”
This celebration of dance and culture at Ten Tiny Dances continues to enchant audiences while fostering appreciation for the rich tapestry of artistic expression.
image source from：oregonlive
