A summer cabaret in Napa combines wine, dance and magic
By Diane De Filipi
NAPA, Calif. — Earthy, savory, spicy, bright, elegant, silky, approachable and unexpected.
Words to describe Napa Valley wines? Of course. In this case, however, these same words describe a distinctively unconventional approach to how we can experience and enjoy wine, dance, magic and total entertainment.
Savor After Hours is a new summer special, offered on weekends and some Thursdays at the JaM Cellars Ballroom in downtown Napa. The cabaret-style production stars brothers Maks and Val Chmerkovskiy. If you are a fan of ballroom dancing, you will know these names from “Dancing With the Stars.” If you are not yet a fan, you will be by the time the show is over. I say this with total confidence.
When I learned that Maks and Val were headlining a show in the Napa Valley, I knew that covering this innovative experience was about more than just writing a review. Maks, a dance champion, choreographer and actor, performed and competed on “Dancing With the Stars” for 14 seasons. Val is still a fan favorite on the show as well as an author, television personality and 14-time U.S. National Champion and two-time World Dance champion. And he is also a talented violinist.
This is where I take a moment to give a shout-out to my parents for planting seeds that grew into my appreciation for ballroom dancing. Dad was a jitterbug competition dancer in the 1940s. Swing became his passion, and he showed me all the moves in our living room when I was a kid. Dad was still swing dancing well into his 80s. When I was 14, Mom forced me to take ballroom dance classes during summer vacation. Being a California beach kid, all I wanted to do was the “Surfer Stomp,” but by the end of the summer I was hooked on ballroom. (I did have to explain to Maks and Val what the “Surfer Stomp” was as I was sharing this story with them.)
I had the pleasure of interviewing the Ukrainian-born brothers prior to seeing the show. Their openness and down-to-earth style felt like talking to new old friends.
The brothers explained that “Savor” is the brainchild of Mark “Swany” Swanhart, an accomplished choreographer, writer, director and producer for stage and screen. Swanhart’s goal was to combine many of the arts in a way that we haven’t previously seen. Creating a fine wine is an art unto itself, so it only made sense to launch the presentation in the Napa Valley, they said.
Opening the show in Napa was a way to pay homage to the farmers who put Napa Valley on the map and to the community that supports them, Val said, adding that the performances in the show are inspired by the wines themselves. The result is a wine-tasting experience reimagined that sways from sentiment to sensuality to comedy.
This show was specifically written for Napa and its “small town elegance,” the brothers said.
What Maks and Val would like the audience to take away from the show is, first and foremost, simple joy. They hope that people will walk away “fulfilled and inspired by world-class dance and world-class wines.”
Maks is a Pinot Noir fan, while Val enjoys the big Cabernets. An impressive list of local wineries is featured each night of the show.
This is Val’s first time in the Napa Valley. His first impression, I asked?
“Serenity,” he replied.
While I don’t want to give away the entire show, what I will share is that this is not just the audience sitting in their reserved seats while watching the stage. This is cabaret, where the audience is involved and contributing to the fun going on all around them.
Cast members are guest performers from Broadway and Hollywood who light up the stage. Adding to the entertainment is Cosmo (aka Brian Cassady) with his magical comedy.
And don’t be surprised if you happen to see other dance friends of Maks and Val make an appearance.
“It’s not scheduled, but you never know who might turn up in town,” Maks said.
Bring your camera. Attendees are welcome to take photos and videos during the production. The lighting, costuming, set designs, sound and video enhance the entire experience.
Savor After Hours will play through Sept. 3 at JaM Cellars Ballroom. Tickets are available at Savor After Hours with prices beginning at $47 per person. In addition to the standard admission tickets, it’s possible to add on runway or onstage seating, small-table seating, a wine-tasting experience, and VIP meet-and-greet experiences, complete with bubbles and appetizers and pre-show experiences. Some of the add-on experiences have limited availability, so be sure to plan ahead. My suggestion is to savor all the experiences. It will be hard to get the smile off your face.
See you at “Savor After Hours” because, yes, I’m planning to see it again!
Diane De Filipi, who lives in the Napa Valley, is a private concierge and leads cooking tours to Italy. Visit her webpage for more information.