Family-Friendly Production 'The Remember Balloons' Comes To McLean

Press release from the McLean Community Center:

McLean, VA (October 7, 2024) A new stage production for the entire family will have its world premiere at 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 18 at the The Alden Theatre, McLean Community Center. The Remember Balloons is a dance-theater production that combines contemporary dance choreography, an original musical score, and imaginative digital projections, inspired by the poignant award-winning children’s book of the same name, which helps families discuss Alzheimer’s disease, memory loss, and grief. Director/choreographer Dominic Moore Dunson and composer Theron Brown have adapted this intergenerational story for the stage to create a captivating production for the entire family. The seven-city 2024-2025 tour begins with the world premiere in McLean, VA on October 18.

Performance Details

The Remember Balloons

October 18, 7-8pm

The Alden Theatre, McLean Community Center

1234 Ingleside Ave, McLean, VA 22101

Tickets: $20/$17 students and seniors/$15 MCC district residents

https://mcleancenter.org/events/the-remember-balloons/

This stage production is recommended for children grades K-4, parents, grandparents, and adults.

NEW Meet the Author and Illustrator events

Learn about Jessie Oliveros and Dana Wulfekotte’s process for creating the book and make your own “Remember Balloon” to be displayed at the MCC. Light refreshments provided. Registration is free, please register in advance. Space is limited.

For families:

• Thursday, October 17 at 6:30 p.m. at McLean Community Cetner, 1234 Ingleside Ave, McLean, VA 22101

Registration: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/TRBMeettheAuthorandIllustrator

For retirees:

• Friday, October 18 at 2:00 p.m. at Dolley Madison Library, 1244 Oak Ridge Ave, McLean, VA 22101
• Registration: https://librarycalendar.fairfaxcounty.gov/event/13049639

The Remember Balloons features contemporary choreography, a compelling and energetic blend of late 20th century American modern dance and social dance, and an original score that combines elements of jazz, blues, Motown, and classical music. The work aims to provide families with new tools to communicate about Alzheimer's disease, grief, and memory loss.

The book The Remember Balloons, created by author Jessie Oliveros and illustrator Dana Wulfekotte, embraces the beauty of sharing memories with others while delicately addressing the subject of memory loss. In the book, the main character, James, has many balloons/special memories. James’s Grandpa also treasures his balloons, each representing cherished memories and stories—his wedding with Grandma, a fishing trip with James, and more. When the balloons begin to drift away, James is devastated until he discovers he can share the memories in the balloons with Grandpa, one by one.

“I first encountered this beautiful book on a visit to the library with my two toddlers. I was so touched – as a father, as an artist, as a storyteller – I had to find a way to bring this story to the stage,” shares director/choreographer Dominic Moore-Dunson. “We are creating a meaningful production to captivate all ages, something kids AND adults will truly connect with. We are so honored to share The Remember Balloons and offer a deep and joyful theatrical experience for families nationwide.”

“From the moment I learned of Dominic’s adaptation of The Remember Balloons, I knew I wanted to premiere the piece at The Alden”, said The Alden’s Director of Youth Programs, Danielle Van Hook. “We are delighted and honored to be the first community to see his gentle, poignant, and joyful performance. The book’s message of passing down generational stories will resonate with our neighbors of all ages and is a beautiful way to make the challenging discussion of memory loss clearer for children and their loved ones.”

Collaborators: Dominic Moore-Dunson, named one of Dance Magazine’s 2023 “25 to Watch,” is co-producer, choreographer, and director. Acclaimed composer and jazz pianist Theron Brown, founder of the Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival, is the composer, arranger, and music director for the work. Ashley Moore-Dunson is co-producer; Scott Leathers is scenic and lighting designer; Kyle Odum and Sam Lowry are projection designers; Inda Blatch-Geib is costume designer. Tour performers will be announced at a later date. The Remember Balloons is presented through special arrangement with Jessie Oliveros and Dana Wulfekotte

THE REMEMBER BALLOONS ©2018 by Jessie Oliveros and Dana Wulfekotte. Published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers. All rights reserved. Used with permission.

Tour Details

• October 18, 2024 The Alden Theatre, McLean Community Center, McLean, VA
• November 6-8, 2024 WYO Performing Arts and Education Center, Sheridan, WY
• November 12, 2024 Governors State University, University Park, IL
• January 24, 2025 Lafon Performing Arts Center, Luling, LA
• January 27, 2025 F.M. Kirby Center for the Performing Arts, Wilkes Barre, PA
• February 2, 2025 Bijou Theatre, Knoxville, TN
• March 28, 2025 Des Moines Performing Arts, Des Moines, IA

About Dominic Moore-Dunson

Dominic Moore-Dunson, one of Dance Magazine’s 2023 “25 to Watch,” is an award-winning choreographer, professional dancer, producer, and teaching artist. Dominic is the co-owner of MooreDunson Co., a performing arts production company housing national touring arts + entertainment products and local arts community impact initiatives. MooreDunson Co. is committed to Urban Midwest Storytelling, a style of presentation capturing the juxtaposition between the beauty and hopelessness of humanity. Known for his community-centric approach, Dominic is a champion of community engagement in dance and entrepreneurship.

Dominic's work has earned him acclaim, including as an Associate Artist at Atlantic Center for the Arts, the 2019 Cleveland Arts Prize's Emerging Artist Award for Theatre & Dance, and as a 2019 Fellow of The Ann & Weston Hicks Choreography Program at Jacob’s Pillow. He's also deeply involved with the National Center for Choreography–Akron as a Creative Research Residency Artist and Creative Administration Research Fellow.

A co-founder of the Akron Black Artist Guild and graduate of National Arts Strategies’ Executive Program for Arts & Culture Strategies at the University of Pennsylvania, Dominic is a committed leader to the arts & culture sector nationally using his knowledge and skills as a choreographer to help the sector “move into action.”

About Theron Brown

A glimpse of gospel, jazz, and soul from the great legends is what inspires the sound of

pianist Theron Brown’s music. But the reason he plays is to encourage and influence people

through his talents. Originally from Zanesville, OH, Theron resides in Akron, OH, where he is

a Professor of Practice at The University of Akron, teaching jazz piano, and is the Program Coordinator for Curated Storefront’s Artist Residency Program at the city’s I Promise School. Theron also serves as an educator for the interactive piano learning app, Playground Sessions. Theron is heavily involved in the music community as the founder and artistic director of the Rubber City Jazz & Blues Festival, which takes place annually in Akron. Theron performs and tours regularly with his trio that includes Zaire Darden on drums and Jordan McBride on bass.

Theron received an amazing opportunity when he was cast as young Herbie Hancock in the 2016 film, Miles Ahead, directed by and starring Don Cheadle. In 2018, Theron released his debut album, No Concepts. His most recent release is entitled Spirit Fruit (2024).

About The Alden

Built in 1975, the 383-seat Robert Ames Alden Theatre, “The Alden,” is a cultural resource for the citizens of McLean and the Washington Metropolitan area that presents a full professional season of interdisciplinary and high-quality performances, lectures and educational programs for audiences of all ages.

ADA Accommodations. The Alden is ADA-compliant and will make arrangements for accommodations. For ADA accommodations, contact Patron Services Manager Elizabeth Katz at elizabeth.katz@fairfaxcounty.gov or call 703-790-9223, TTY: 711. To request this information in an alternate format, call 703-790-0123, TTY: 711, or visit: aldentheatre.org.

About MooreDunson Co.

MooreDunson Co. LLC, a performing arts production company housing national touring arts + entertainment products and local arts community engagement initiatives. MooreDunson Co. is committed to Urban Midwest Storytelling, a style of presentation capturing the juxtaposition between the beauty and hopelessness of humanity.

Funding Credits

The Remember Balloons is supported, in part, by the Knight Foundation; GAR Foundation; Akron Community Foundation; Peg’s Foundation; Nelson Family Fund; H. Peter Burg Fund; Synthomer Foundation; Mandel Family Foundation; Akron Children’s Hospital; and the many individual donors who have supported this work.