Pilobolus's UP!

Pilobolus brings UP! to the Village of Industry and Art on Thursday, October 29, with three sessions at 7 PM, 8 PM, and 9 PM. Each performance runs about 40 minutes, so you can pick the slot that fits your night.

UP! (The Umbrella Project) is an immersive performance art experience led by Pilobolus, the dance company that's been testing the limits of human physicality since 1971. They've spent decades exploring the beauty and power of connected bodies, and they're bringing that tradition to a global audience through post-disciplinary collaborations. The show is described as the imaginative whimsy of Mary Poppins meeting the kaleidoscopic energy of a night at Studio 54: the audience wields lighted umbrellas, developed in collaboration with MIT, to create a large-scale, live performance piece. There's no training or rehearsal needed to join in, though you're welcome to watch as a spectator if you'd rather stay on the sidelines.

The Philadelphia staging is presented in partnership with Opera Philadelphia and the Village of Industry and Art, and it was made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, with support from Penn Live Arts. Since it falls just before Halloween, there's a suggested costume theme: "The Next 250 Years in the USA," with futuristic best encouraged.

It's free and open to all ages, though children under 12 need to be accompanied by an adult. Registration is required, so you'll want to RSVP in advance. You can find the sign-up at operaphila.org.