Two upcoming dance events will let you jump in and release your inner dancer or just sit back and enjoy a classic story interpreted in a ballet.
DanceVision collaborates with the West Windsor Arts Council to present DanceFest 2011 to celebrate dance in all forms. With activities for all ages, plan to dance, watch, or play. The event will be held on Sunday, April 3, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the West Windsor Arts Center, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor. Tickets are $15.
Teachers and choreographers Tom McKie, Henri Velandia, Rosie Multari, and Anil Diwakar will offer short lessons in hip hop, salsa, line dancing, and Bollywood dance — fun for both experienced and novice dancers. Activities include crafts, games, refreshments, story time, and a sneak peek of the original ballet, “The Secret Garden,” choreographed by Risa Kaplowitz, artistic director and co-founder of DanceVision, and a West Windsor resident.
“The collaboration with the West Windsor Arts Council is such a natural fit,” says Mariellen Sandford, DanceVision vice president and a West Windsor resident.
DanceVision’s mission is to enrich the community with quality dance experiences, including performances, school residencies, and dance festivals. The organization also presents events and performances to provide exposure to dance for those who may not otherwise have the opportunity. Visit www.dancevisionnj.org for information.
West Windsor Plainsboro Dance Company enters its 11th season with performances of “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” at Thomas Grover Middle School in West Windsor on Saturday and Sunday, April 2 and 3.
This upbeat, current, narrated version of the classic tale of good versus evil features ballet, pointe, tap, jazz, and hip hop dancers ranging in age from three to adult..
Heading the cast of 170 members is Katherine LiPuma, 18, from High School North, who will dance the role of Dorothy. Other soloists include Jessica Lewinson as the Scarecrow, Samantha Koch as the Tin Man, and Gina Ethe as the Lion.
West Windsor dancers include Maggie Abitanto, Sydney Abitanto, Mia Barbenbush, Juliana Bell, Ece Berrak, Alexa Bornstein, Madison Briffa, Lucy Bruchok, Madelyn Castillo, Kayla Chait, Vivian Chen, Callia Cordasco, Erin Devine, Nora Devine, Faith Falkowitz, Mia Ferri, Michelle Ferry, Marguerite Girandola, Emily Goon, Lauren Gracias, Caitrin Greene, Kiran Hauser, Maggie Hoffman, Hope Jaworowski, Isabel Josephson, Anahita Joshi, Eve Kavalov, Lula Kavalov, Courtney Kobus, Jamie Kobus, Kelsey Kobus, and Lauren Kuczmarski.
Also, Jessica Lewinson, Charlotte Lichenstein, Katherine LiPuma, Danielle Lluberes, Olivia Lluberes, Alexa Lombardi, Karlie Lombardi, Casey McElroy, Kelly McElroy, Alyssa Miller, Amanda Mistretta, Aditi Nayak, Akash Nayak, Elisabeth O’Connell, Sophie Pirrera, Mariana Ramirez, Christine Rexroad, Alexandra Rome, Rebecca Rost, Victoria Ruan, Grace Sawyers, Emily Sharlach, Corinne Smith, Jeanette Smith, Shannon Smith, Allie Strouse, Maddie Strouse, Abigail Tattle, Kelsey Tattle, Sydney Tattle, Carly Tohfohrde, Regina Trevino, Rachel Trokenheim, Anika Vincent, Alexandra Vogel, Meghan Vogt, Kelly Wei, Claudia Wilkinson, Keira Wilkinson, Kelly Wei, and Emma Yanagi.
Plainsboro dancers include Katherine Antos, Cece Baumann, Nadia Burston, Annie Callahan, Meghan Callahan, Kathryna Caparino, Arianna Capuano, Isabella Capuano, Heather Collins, Mila Cvetanovic, Katie Kane, Grace Kolker, Julia Kolker, Teja Kondeti, Amanda Kowalski, Carly Kowalski, Jessica Manuel, Nicole McCarthy, Jessica Polin, Ominay Robertson, Alexa Rubin, Lindsey Rubin, Alexandria Sine, Natasha Singer, Sarah Siskind, Olivia Solis, Iris Tseng, and Tatiana Tymofyeyeva.
— Lynn Miller
DanceFest 2011, Dance Vision, West Windsor Arts Center, 952 Alexander Road, West Windsor. Sunday, April 3, 2 to 5 p.m. $15. 609-520-1020. www.dancevisionNJ.org.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, West Windsor Plainsboro Dance Company, Grover Middle School, Village Road, West Windsor. Saturday, April 2, 7 p.m. and Sunday, April 3, at 1 p.m. $9. 609-799-9677. www.thedancecorner.org.
