Happendance

Calling for good movers to be part of "Everybody Dance Now!"

As part of the annual Community Dance Project (see below), Happendance is recruiting approximately 40 dancing people, ages 8 to 80, to learn, rehearse, and perform a fun and inspiring dance experience called "Everybody Dance Now" during shows at LCC's Dart Auditorium and the Lansing JazzFest in late July and early August.

Though highly-trained dancers may participate, no formal training is required. You do need to be able to solidly hear the beat, lead off consistently with the correct foot, and coordinate simple rhythmic sequences of steps. Most importantly, be willing to take instruction, attend all rehearsals, practice outside of rehearsal, and embrace this endeavor in the spirit of community.

To apply, email by June 17 to Deanne Brooke Rivera, or bring to the first rehearsal on July 18 (5:45 pm), the following information: a summary of your movement or dance experience (if any), and your availability to rehearse Tuesday evenings, first or second half of 5:45 - 9:30 time block. If accepted there is a particiation fee of $50.

Click here to view and download a document with the full rehearsal and performance schedule.

Community Dance Project 2013 dates announced

The 8th season of Community Dance Project, sponsored by Happendance and Lansing Community College, will present hour-long concerts of modern dance by both seasoned and novice choreographers and feature community dancers to present these exciting new works. Performances are free and open to the public, including: July 30-31 and August 1, 7 pm, at LCC's Dart Auditorium; Aug. 2 at Scene Metrospace in East Lansing, shows at 7 and 8 pm, with small works only; and August 3, 2 pm, at Lansing JazzFest Old Town.

Happendance School - Summer Term starts June 17 - Enroll Now!

The 6-week term runs June 17-July 26 (no class July 4) and offers classes for ages 3 to adult: Creative movement and dance fundamentals for young children -- Beginning level classes in modern dance, ballet, tap and jazz -- Intermediate/advanced classes in ballet, modern and jazz -- Special offerings: Class for the Ageless Dancer, and a new class for those 18 and up in Beginning Social Dance (basics of Tango, Cha Cha, and Swing).

Creative Dance Camps in June and July: Three-day camps for 6-9 year olds -- Fairy Camp and Mermaid Camp

Youth Ballet Camp (pre-pointe, ages 10-14) August 6-9 -- Power Pointe Intensive (high level, ages 12 and up), Aug. 13-17

Class grid is a one-page table showing the full schedule, including class teachers, which you may download and print for reference. You may also call the office at 517/333-3528 to discuss class placement and obtain other assistance.

Happendance To Go - for kids, for fun, for learning

This year's team members -- Sarah Dobson, Lindsey Fedewa, Deanne Rivera, Danielle Selby, Scott Stafford and Patty Villanueva -- have a great program designed to entertain kids while reinforcing academic and life lessons. During the 50-minute show, six pieces explore a day at school, including the study of various subjects, and social time. "Windscapes" illustrates the fluid canonic motion of the wind. "Sneetches" examines issues of discrimination and tolerance. "We're Havin' a Ball" shows the fun things you can do with them. "Molecules in Motion" features three quirky molecules in solid, liquid and gaseous states. Language arts have their turn when "Swinging on a Star" explores metaphor. And the dance titled "Recess" -- pure energy and fun!

If you know of a school or youth setting that has open danceable space and would welcome a performance by the Happendance To Go Team, put them in touch with the Happendance office for information on bookings. Movement classes are also available to selected classrooms. Grant funds have been secured to underwrite a large share of the costs of shows and teaching, but schools need to book soon while funds last.

Happendance 2 and Company Apprentices for 2012-13

This year's Happendance 2 members are Jillian Abuan, Marie Adrian, Meredith Bolton, Claire Donahue, Anna Evanson, Lindsay Fedewa, Michaela Ford, Aiden Foster-Fishman, Callie Harrison, Katie Heise, Melanie Matchette, Roja Mullins, Averie Nim, Briana Renfrew, Jennifer Ruth, Liam Shaffer, Emily Scott, Lena Shuptar and Mason Villanueva. They hail from Lansing, East Lansing, Laingsburg, Mason, Grand Ledge, Okemos, Haslett and Eaton Rapids. Read more about Happendance 2.

Accepted for the Happendance Professional Company apprentice program are three high school seniors: Chloe Gonzales of Springport, Alison Rhodes of Okemos, and Mason Villanueva of Eaton Rapids.

Happendance 2 is directed by Missy Lilje and Lisa Whiting Dobson.

Support Happendance while You Search and SHOP!

Happendance is listed on www.goodsearch.com. Simply use GoodSearch (powered by Yahoo) for all of your internet searches. Click here to add GoodSearch to your browser. The more often you use GoodSearch, the more money Happendance earns, costing you nothing.

You can also earn additional rewards, both in savings for you as a purchaser, and the donations that flow through to Happendance, from your use of GoodShop.com. To get started, go to (and bookmark) GoodShop.com. Or, if in Goodsearch.com, on the home page, under the search window, click on 'Shop Online, Support Your Cause'. Once there, enter Happendance as your charity and click Verify. If Happendance is already your default charity, just start shopping! A percentage of what you buy at the available stores will automatically be donated to Happendance, at no cost to you!

Happendance receives support from the National Endowment for the Arts and the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs.