Submitted by Nikyta Palmisani
Day of Dance begins the weekend at Woodman Hall on Saturday, June 1 from 9 a.m.-9 p.m. This is a full day of dance, yoga, movement and rhythm classes and performances where all proceeds go to send three Lopez girls to ballet camp this summer.
The day begins with an all ages free warm up and stretch led by Marjorie Schreurs. Next is an open format 5 Rhythms class inspired by the work of Gabrielle Roth. Roth pioneered improvisational dance and explored five basic rhythm styles: lyrical, staccatto, chaotic, stillness, and flowing. These rhythms take dancers on a musical ride that follows a wave: a slow build to warm into the music that slowly builds to a high energy peak, then flows into stillness at the end. For anyone who loves to dance and move, but does not prefer prescribed movement, or finds that structured dance classes give them two left feet, this is a wonderfully liberating safe space to move in any way without judgment.
Nikyta Palmisani will teach a Dance Vinyasa Yoga Class at 11 a.m.: a yoga class that combines elements of dance choreography, great music, vinyasa yoga and rhythm.
12:15 Debbie Mackie is teaching Zumba: a Latin and world rhythms workout with fabulous high-energy music that always makes you feel like you’re at a party.
After Zumba it is time for a potluck picnic lunch on the lawn (weather permitting). Bring your blanket and basket and join friends and families for a Lopez style lunch. Then jugglers, hula hoopers and prop manipulators of all kinds are welcome to bring their toys and come play with other practitioners in a free skill share from 2:30-4 pm. This is a great time to practice juggling passing, hoop tricks, and exchange moves with others.
At 3 p.m. Marjorie will teach Yin Yoga, a relaxing and deep meditation of body and spirit designed to calm the nervous system and replenish the whole body. At 4 p.m. join Kerry Ratza for a modern dance class with live drumming by Diano Garcia. Live music, and in particular drumming, helps increase dancers sense of rhythm and musicality, and is a rare treat!
5 pm: an all ages drum class will be taught by Diano Garcia. Diano is a world class musician and has been playing percussion most of his life, and teaching for a great many years. This class only has capacity for 15 students, so get there early to reserve your space.
Delicious local food trucks El Taco About It and Poutine your Mouth will be in the parking lot from 5-8 p.m.
From 6-7 p.m. enjoy a packed hour of performances by local favorite Chris Aiken and a Diano Garcia & Colin Doherty, as well as a dance by our spotlighted ballerinas Sydney, Mira and Naima.
The evening culminates in a huge open format dance party from 7:30-9 p.m. An incredible playlist of movement inspiring and high-energy music will carry this all ages dance party home happy!
Sunday there will be two ballet classes offered at the Dojo by Miles Pertl from the Pacific Northwest Ballet Company: Kids ballet at 3 pm, and adult ballet at 5 p.m. Sydney Pertl will be sketching portraits of dancers attending these classes live during the class for purchase afterward.
All proceeds from these events go directly to sending our young three ballet dancers to ballet school this summer. Classes are $10 each, or $30 for a whole day pass. Children under 12 must be accompanied by an adult. Many thanks to the Friends of Woodman Hall for underwriting the Day of Dance bringing us such a vibrant community event to the Lopez community.
For more information, contact nikytapalmisani@gmail.com or ali14nicol@gmail.com.
