FORWARD MOTION DANCE

presents

Cape Fear Arts in Motion

Winds, Rhythm, and Soul

Historic Main Stage

September 17-18 · 2026

THU-FRI · 7:30 PM

Forward Motion Dance Company presents a stunning and innovative dance event with their annual performance, Cape Fear Arts in Motion: Winds, Rhythm, and Soul. This performance unites dancers with musical and visual artists to bring the art form of modern, contemporary, hip hop, classical and jazz dance to the beautiful and historic Thalian Hall Center for the Performing Arts for a varied and collaborative event that showcases the talents of Choreographer Tracey Varga.

Presented are new performances along with re-creations of dances from the past, including several pieces with original film works by filmmaker Patrick Ogelvie, including one with an exciting new teen piece featuring teenage dancers from local studios. In a new classical piece, a trio of flutists, Sallie Dunn, Sarah Hand, and Mary Gheen, will perform live onstage with the dancers. All three flutists are active in performance and education in the Wilmington community, as well as members of the Wilmington Flute Choir.

Forward Motion Dance Company is excited to invite Phillip Clyde Bernier as guest choreographer. Phillip is a Wilmington-based performer, choreographer, songwriter, recording artist, and arts educator with a multi-genre career, who now is owner and lead instructor of Wilmington Hip Hop Dance, where he mentors and trains young performers in confidence, creativity, and stage presence.

Forward Motion Dance Company is proud to be a resident dance company for THCPA and of our legacy of bringing quality dance performances to this historic venue. Since 2004, FMD, a Wilmington, NC, based non-profit 501(c)(3) dance organization, has upheld its mission to provide local and regional communities with quality modern contemporary dance and education in the art of dance, as well as enhance the local arts community by providing performance opportunities for area dancers and performance artists.