The ETSU Martin Center for the Arts recently welcomed “Dirty Dancing” in Concert to the ETSU Foundation Grand Hall on Sunday, March 29, at 7 P.M. The event blended film, live performance, and nostalgia to let audiences relive a time in their life.
“Dirty Dancing” was released in 1987 and was a smash hit, quickly becoming an instant classic for lovers of music, dance and film. The film follows Baby, played by Jennifer Grey, spending her summer at a resort in the Catskills. She meets dance instructor Johnny Castle, played by Patrick Swayze, and the two fall in love.
Throughout the movie, music plays a central role. Both the movie and its soundtrack became pop culture icons, with the album spending 18 weeks at No. 1 on the US Billboard 200 chart in 1987-88.
“Dirty Dancing”was recognized during awards season. The film won the 1988 Academy Award for Best Original Song, for “I’ve Had The Time of My Life” written by Franke Previte, John DeNicola and Donald Markowitz. The song and writing team also won the 1988 Golden Globe for Best Original Song, Motion Picture.
The “Dirty Dancing”in Concert experience allowed fans to enjoy the movie in a new way, with live music and performance while the original movie played on screen. Decades later, the music, dancing and story of “Dirty Dancing” continue to live on.
