The Remember Balloons, coming to Walton Arts Center in Fayetteville on Wednesday, Oct 1st, is a heartwarming dance-theater production that brings families together through storytelling. Inspired by the award-winning children’s book by the same name, The Remember Balloons uses music, movement and storytelling telling to explore memory, family and connection.
“I found the book in the library under ‘Books About Difficult Topics,’ took it home, read it with my kids – and knew I had to make it into movement,” said Dominic Moore-Dunson, the show’s co-producer, director and choreographer. “It’s a story about love, remembrance and what happens when memories start to fade.”
The work equips children and families with the language and resources necessary to communicate about and hold on to memories when someone we love begins to forget.
“So many families have been impacted by memory loss, whether through aging, Alzheimer’s or dementia,” said co-producer Ashley Moore-Dunson. “Watching a loved one forget can be heartbreaking, but it also reminds us to cherish the moments we still have.”
Studies continually show that music has a unique way of bringing memories back to life. A familiar song, a melody from the past can unlock feelings and stories that we thought were lost.
“My compositions for this piece are meant to hold those emotions – like a musical scrapbook of love and remembrance,” said composer and jazz great Theron Brown.
“This piece is full of heart. We made it for young people and their grown-ups – to open the door for conversations we often avoid but deeply need,” Dominic said. “It’s tender. It’s joyful. It’s one of the most meaningful things I’ve ever made.”Through dance in this piece, the actors can express what words often can’t. The weight of holding on to memories. The fear of losing them and the beauty of passing them on.
This show holds a special place in my heart, as it was born out of my own family's journey with Alzheimer's disease,” Dominic said. “I often wish that a show like this had been present for my family, as it would have provided a tool to initiate some of the more difficult conversations and emotions everyone faced.”
Tickets for The Remember Balloons are just $10 and can be purchased here.
