Music video - Joy to the World!

Joy to the World was a wonderful performance of dancers, musicians, and vocalists to celebrate the holiday season!  This video features pictures and video that were taken by parents of the dancers as well as C. Rod Bacon, professional photographer.  ENJOY!

Local Dancers Have Fun With the Eugene Ballet

As you know, many local dance students had the opportunity of a lifetime to perform onstage with the Eugene Ballet in October.  The Cinderella performance was amazing!  Jailyn Knott and Hailey Knott were 'Pages' in the production and obviously had a wonderful time! (They are not related!)

Cinderella in the PULSE

We are so happy to have the article about the Eugene Ballet's "Cinderella" performance in the Moscow-Pullman Daily News PULSE section!  Click Here to read the online version.
Festival Dance's mission is to bring world class performing artists to our area to enhance the quality of life of the people on the Palouse and the L-C Valley.  Professional dance performances provide cultural diversity and economic vitality to our communities.

Cinderella is Sunday, October 24th at 3:00.  We are sold out in the office, so you should call 800-325-7328 to order your tickets or you can still buy tickets at the door.

See you there!

"Cinderella" - Eugene Ballet coming soon!

Eugene Ballet Cinderella


If the Slipper Fits, Marry the Prince!
Enjoy the classic tale of Cinderella, with music by Sergei Prokofiev, fanciful sets, elaborate costumes, and plenty of drama and romance. The comedic antics of the ugly stepsisters contrast with the enchanting grace of Cinderella and the romantically handsome prince. Beautifully danced with perfection, this ballet performance is a special fairy tale treat for your little princess, and will impress and inspire people of all ages with the beauty of the ballet!

Click Here to watch the video.

Free Dance Classes at the BellTower

Free dance classes going on now at the BellTower in Pullman. 

• Beginning Ballet Teen-Adult Monday 3:45-5:15
• Tap 1 Monday 6:30-7:30
• Ballroom Dance Class Tuesday 6:30-7:30
• Ballroom Dance Party Tuesday 7:30-9:30
• Celtic 1 Wednesday 4:15-5:15
• Modern Dance Thursday 5:00-6:00
• Beginning Ballet Teen-Adult Friday 3:30-5:00

For updates on our classes, text 'festdance' to 91011, or call Festival Dance at 208-883-3267.

Festival Dance in Pullman!

We are happy to announce dance classes at the BellTower in Pullman!  We will offer Beginning Ballet for ages 14-Adult, Tap, Adult Tap, Beginning Celtic for all ages, Ballroom Dance, and Modern.  Classes begin next week, on Monday, Sept. 27th and all classes are FREE THE FIRST WEEK! For updates on our classes, text 'festdance' to 91011.

The Ballroom classes are on Tuesdays from 6:30-7:30 followed by a dance party! For updates about our ballroom classes and dance parties, text 'ballroom' to 91011.

Reply to this blog and I'll send you the schedule!

KLEW-TV and Jayanthi Raman Dance Co.

The Jayanthi Raman Dance Company performance was a great success at bringing people together and enhancing understanding of the Indian culture. 

Here's the KLEW-TV piece that ran in the eveing news last week.  http://www.klewtv.com/news/local/103009384.html?video=pop&t=a

We're so happy we got news coverage!

Tri-State sold to Crown Enterprises Inc., Sportsman & Ski Haus.

One of Festival Dance's corporate sponsors, Tri-State, has been sold to Crown Enterprises Inc., Sportsman & Ski Haus.  But Tri-State will not change, according to former owner Gerard Connelly.  And hopefully the new owners will continue to support local non-profit organizations as Gerard always has.  Thank you for the support Tri-State!

Click Here for Story

Dancers from India next Tuesday!

Festival Dance Faculty for 2010-11

Wow! What a wonderful group of talented and beautiful instructors we have for this year!

Classes begin next Tuesday, September 7th and will continue through December 17th, with no classes the week of Thanksgiving.





Registration forms and information are at
http://www.festivaldance.org/ - just click the Classes tab.

Have a fantastic and SAFE Labor Day weekend!

FREE Dance Workshops!

Not only will young dancers perform Little House on the Prairie, the mini-musical, tomorrow (Saturday) morning at the Moscow Farmer's Market (9:00) but we're offering two free dance workshops later in the afternoon at the beautiful dance studios on the UI campus in the PE Building!

At 1:00 Karissa Jacobs will teach a Kinderdance/Movement/Creative class that is especially for the young dancer age 4-7. At 2:00, Shannon Dake will teach a fun, active Jazz/Hip Hop class for ages 7 and up. And yes - it's all completely free- no pre-registration necessary.

This is a great time to come meet our newest faculty members and enroll for your fall dance classes. We'll be happy to answer any questions about class placement, dress code, etc.

Have a great day dancing!

Guest Blog by Mauri Knott FDPA Parent and Board Member

Why my daughters dance...
Doesn't every little girl dream of being a ballerina, tap dancer, or performer? I know I did and know my stepdaughter (8) and my daughter (4) do. What is it about dance that draws us in? At my daughters ages I believe it is the magic of dance. The gracefulness and beauty of ones body in motion, the thrill of donning their leotards and performing, and in their own words the "fun".

I on the other hand have very different reasons why my daughters dance. I can see past the pink tutus and polish and know that they are gaining a sense of belonging and accomplishment, a trusted relationship with a caring adult, self confidence and presence and composure, and a healthy but beautiful outlet for their energy.

Whatever the reason maybe I encourage you to give your daughters the great opportunity to DANCE!

Jayanthi Raman Dance Company

Jayanthi Raman Dance Company will be at the WSU Beasley Coliseum Tuesday, September 14 at 7:00 to perform “Shrishti–Creation.” Described as “an elegantly musical dancer,” Master dancer/choreographer Jayanthi Raman, brings together a brilliant cast of dancers and musicians from India. Exquisite choreography, authentic costumes and jewelry, and elaborate lighting add to the beauty and artistry of this show that dazzles audiences and breaks down cultural boundaries between people.

Tickets are $14-$25 from Festival Dance or 800-325-7328
Video: Jayanthi Raman Dance Company

Register Now for Fall!

Fall dance classes are about to begin!

· Limited class sizes for personalized instruction

· Emphasis on technique and dance skill sets

· Outstanding professionally trained instructors

· Resident dance studio at the University of Idaho

· Classes in: Moscow, Troy, Lewiston, Genesee, Lapwai, Orofino

· Youth Outreach programs in Latah County & North Idaho

· Recipient of state and national grants

· Member of local and national arts organizations

· Exciting performance opportunities!

Go to our website to download all studio schedules and registration forms! Classes start September 7th!

www.festivaldance.org

Hawaiian Birthday Party

Hawaiian Birthday Party

Today we had the annual Hawaiian Birthday party at Patricia Nelson's home for Aidan Barnhart's 10th Birthday. Most the girls at the event are Festival Dance students. Aloha!

Our Upcoming Season!

Video of our upcoming season. We Bring You the World! From authentic dancers from East India to the choreographer of the box office hit movie AVATAR, we bring the performing arts to the people that live in the Palouse and L-C Valley to enhance quality of life and cultural diversity. Go to www.festivaldance.org to learn more about each show.

Yours in dance,

Advertise with Festival Dance

Our season program is a gorgeous 16 page full-color mag that is distributeted for one year in the Palouse and L-C Valley. We print 4,000 copies; deliver them to audiences at the Beasley and at all our shows.

Best value around - $150 for a business card size (2.5 high x 3.5 wide) advertisement. Support the arts, Festival Dance, and advertise your business. Call Cindy at 208-883-3267 to discuss your design options.

Amanda gets married!

Amanda and Ryan Souza got married May 29th on Waimanalo Beach in Hawaii. We are so happy for them! Have a look at this beautiful bride. She is having a wonderful time- much deserved time off- and enjoying a fantastic honeymoon in Hawaii. (Wish I were there! This rain is depressing!)

Amanda will be returning to work June 14th- which is the first day of the June dance session.

Aloha!

Job Opening at Festival Dance - Admin. Assistant

Festival Dance is now acception applications for Administrative Assistant!

30 hours a week (3/4 time), with some nights and weekends.
$12 per hour ($18,000 per year)
http://ow.ly/1SDdA

Join a vibrant arts non-profit organization with a wide array of activities and programs! Learn about the performing arts, help with educational youth programs, work with young dancers and their parents, and become involved with a sucessful and influential organization. Creativity is rewarded, flexibility is possible, and fulfillment is ensured!

Organizational skills are a must, analytical thinking and computer expertise is required.

Have a look at the position description, then contact Cindy@festivaldance.org

Free Ballroom Dance Class!

Festival Dance is proud to offer a FREE ballroom dance class open to all community members. The class is this Saturday, April 3rd at the 1912 Building from 6:30-9:00. Bring your partner or come solo and we'll find one for you!

Instructors Sarah Bloomsburg and Scott Doughty will teach you how to dance like a pro in this fun, energetic class. We hope to see you there!

Sherry Zunker - Here At UI Dance!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ecf8wfrlOw4

Sherry Zunker is the Founding Director of Aylet Creative a newly formed entertainment division of Aylet Incorporated. Sherry has developed a creative entourage that consults and facilitates new artistic and entertainment products. Her creative team is also an entertainment resource, which nurtures and connects talent to the professional world. Ms Zunker is perhaps best known for her work as Co-Artistic Director of River North Chicago Dance Company. Sherry joined River North Chicago as artistic director in 1990. She choreographed numerous works for the company, one of them being the signature piece “Reality of a Dreamer” which also became the finale piece for the award winning televised documentary of the same name. Sherry also commissioned the work of many choreographers to compile the Company’s diverse, engaging repertoire. Ms. Zunker has set her works on several companies including The Joffrey Ballet of Chicago and Gus Giordano Jazz Dance Chicago.
Her choreography and direction outside of the concert dance realm encompasses musical productions, commercials, music videos, and live industrial shows. During the last decade Ms. Zunker has conceptualized, choreographed or directed over 30 production shows for Royal Caribbean Cruise Line.

Tickets On Sale Now!

Tickets for Cirque D'Or, Golden Dragon Acrobats are on sale now! All TicketsWest outlets, or call 800-325-7328. $14-$30

March 28, 3:00
WSU Beasley Coliseum

Click for video.

FREE Dance Workshop!

The University of Idaho Center for Dance is bringing world-renowed Jazz Dance artist Sherry Zunker to the Inland Northwest! Besides teaching movement clinics for the Lionel Hampton Jazz Festival and choreographing a dance for the university, Zunker will be teaching a Jazz Dance Workshop geared towards upper level jazz dancers and teachers the weekend of Jazz Festival. This workshop is free to the public. Included in this workshop will be a Jazz Dance Pedagogy class for current and future jazz dance teachers and an open rehearsal of Zunker choreographing a lively new dance to the song, Sind Sing Sing.

25 dancers only. Pre-registration is requested. Those needing accomodations for the weekend should visit the Jazz Festival website at www.uidaho.edu/jazzfest. For more info please contact Greg Halloran at halloran@uidaho.edu.

Funded throught the University of Idaho Center for Dance by the Florence Wasmer Fund for the Arts and Culture of the Inland Northwest Community Foundation.

VPLAC Supports Cirque D'Or!

WSU's VPLAC has decided to sponsor Cirque D'Or as well as Manding Jata. VPLAC (Visual, Performing, Literary, Arts Community) provides support to local arts organizations - and boy are we thankful for the funding!

VPLAC has a 25 year history of bringing thought-provoking, art, cultural events, and unique personalities to the Washington State University campus. VPLAC is committed to sponsoring programs that embody the increasingly diverse artistic and cultural influences we find in today’s world. In tandem with multicultural student organizations and WSU liberal arts disciplines, VPLAC searches for the best concerts, recitals, lectures, films, readings, events, performers, and exhibits to connect WSU and our Palouse regional community with the world at large.
In addition, VPLAC awards several competitive grants annually to directly support student-produced cultural events and other WSU functions.

Is is a pleasure working with the committee and co-chairs, Jerry McCollum and Dan Watson.
http://ow.ly/12Lnk

A simple way to support the performing arts...

We have something new and exciting we'd like to share with you! It's the new Festival Dance and Performing Arts Association toolbar - once added to IE or Firefox, each time you shop at more than 1,300 stores (from Amazon to Zazzle!) a percentage of your purchase will automatically be donated to Festival Dance and Performing Arts Association - at no cost to you (and you may even save money as the toolbar provides coupons and deals as well!). The toolbar also has a search box and each time you search the Internet, about a penny is donated to Festival Dance and Performing Arts Association.




http://www.goodsearch.com/toolbar/university-of-idaho-festival-dance-and-performing-arts-association

Gearing up for the Chinese Acrobats!

We are getting very excited about the Golden Dragon Acrobats! This is a part of Festival Dance that I LOVE! Bringing world-class performances to the area is so rewarding. The Golden Dragon Acrobats will be presenting Cirque D'Or; representing the best of a time honored tradition that began more than 27 centuries ago. The company has traveled around the world to all 50 states and to over 65 countries performing their awesome feats of athleticism. Acrobatics, exciting costumes, traditional dance, ancient and contemporary music, and theatrical techniques all combine to present a show of exquisite skill and beauty. And I mean exquisite. Awe inspiring! Watch the video for spine tingling and jaw-dropping proof!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sRHoJZMJZxo

Yours in dance,