Happendance is Michigan's longest-running professional modern dance company.
The ball is in your court to keep it running!
Keep the ball in play!
In the last year:
- Our winter concert, "Dynamic: Lansing at 150" was a celebration of the Sesquicentennial, performed at LCC's Dart Auditorium in January 2009.
- The Community Dance Project (CDP) continued its strong growth in 2009. New levels of choreography, mentorship and performance were achieved, and shared with the public at two venues in early August (a third was rained out). The new year, under Missy Lilje's direction, will bring expanded participation, new partners, and even more workshops and forums!
- Excerpts from the CDP program were also performed in front of the Capitol Building on August 2nd as part of the Lansing 150 celebration, "Capitol Moves." On the heels of CDP, Sesquidance, created by Diane Newman and Jane Gamble, had over 40 participants dancing for Lansing at the Capitol steps.
In the coming year:
- For 2010, the Happendance Professional Company will perform in East Lansing's Hannah Community Center on March 5-6 with a concert themed "The Body," co-directed by Missy Lilje and Matt Bebermeyer. Mark your calendar!
- Last year the Board was pro-active in reversing the drop in bookings for our "Outreach" Program, Happendance To Go, caused by shrinking school funding for the arts. It's important to regain even more lost ground this year!
- NEW - FIRST FRIDAYS! Come to Happendance Studio for the first Friday of each month and enjoy in-house concerts by a variety of great dancers from near and far. Happendance 2, our pre-professional company, kicks of the series with more great shows to follow!
Help us keep the ball rolling with another year full of acheivement!
Please write 'Donation' in the 'Payment For' field and specify if your donation is for a specific purpose such as a fund appeal. Thank you!
Did you know that Happendance is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization? This means that all your charitable donations to support Happendance in furthering dance education and to promote dance awareness and appreciation as a performance arts are tax deductable!
Ask your employer about making a matching donation and double your support!
At the lively age of 33, Happendance is Michigan's longest-running professional modern dance company. It achieved this distinction with funding from local, state and regional sources, contributions from individuals, foundations and businesses, and earned income, as well as countless hours spent by Board members and other volunteers. Happendance would like to thank the following organizatoins for their consistent support: Thoman Foundation, Dietrich Foundation, Capital Area United Way, Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs, the City of Lansing General Funds Minigrant program, and the Ingham County Hotel-Motel Tax Fund. In addition, Happendance thanks all of the private donors that allow us to remain one of Michigan's cultural treasures!
Volunteer Opportunities
Board of Directors
The Happendance Board of Directors is always looking for new members with talent, energy, and new ideas. As a member of a true working board, you will experience the great satisfaction that comes from knowing that you are a part of all the great things that Happendance does. To learn more, contact info@happendance.org or read about our current Board of Directors.
Event Volunteer
Happendance School as well as the Happendance companies always need a little extra help around concert time. If you can offer your time to help with concerts or other Happendance events, please contact info@happendance.org.
Costume Design and Construction
We currently need help with design and construction of costumes for both Happendance 2 and Happendance Professional Company. If you are able to help, please contact Missy in the Happendance office: 517.333.3528
Our mission: To stimulate support for the art of dance through performances and educational programs. To broaden the accessibility of dance to a diverse community and promote dance for lifelong physical and mental fitness.