Save the Date: Sunday, May 20–Mr. Charlie Smith will be returning to take recital photos in costume for you. He will take a group photo and any individual shots or small groups that you would like. Sign up by class; schedule is on the desk.

That’s what two sets of dancers and a visual artist will explore in a February 11-12 performance What If at the Sidney and Berne Davis Art Center in downtown Fort Myers.

The event brings together choreographer Alyce Bochette of Fort Myers and members of the Sarasota-based modern dance company Moving Ethos. This show uncovers the possibilities exposed when we unplug from our technological overdose. Viewers will be thrust into a world of creativity and exploration, a place where we might find ourselves when we free our minds from electronic noise and allow ideas to come to life. Release the electronic sounds and replace them with the quiet of a gallery. Open your senses to absorb the beauty and emotion of dance.

Bochette, a former member of the Mark Morris Dance Group, brings classical dance to the forefront of this stage as she presents two works from her repertory: a ballet waltz inspired by the music of Tchaikovsky and a classical modern dance set to the solo piano music of Grieg, Schubert and Brahms.

Moving Ethos is led by Artistic Directors Leah Verier-Dunn and Courtney Smith Inzalaco. These two Florida-raised choreographers will present a series of duets ranging from comical to aggressive to subtle and intimate, showing their range of ability and skill.

Joining the dancers is Olympian and artist Liston Bochette, who will take us by macro-view into the world of creation through a photo journey of his drawings depicting “Cellular Life from Conception to Termination” set to the music of Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon.”

Organizers hope the event will help create a bond between artists from these two Southwest Florida cities. Experience a true treat – Art in Motion – and a time for all to “unplug”. Get your tickets today!

Doors open with Cocktails at 7:00 pm — Performance begins at 8:00 pm at the Sidney and Berne Davis Arts Center in the River District of Fort Myers at 2301 First Street. Tickets are $33. Students (with ID) $15. For more information and tickets, call the box office at (239) 333-1933 or (239) 337-1933 or visit the art center website.

• Saturday December 17, 2011
• 3:00 pm
• First Baptist Church Activities Center
• Jackson Street between MLK & Second Street
• Admission FREE!!

Join in for the fun when dancers ages 3 through professional perform Ballet, Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop & Modern.

Spice up your Merry Season with Dance! Highlights of the Show include: Excerpts from Tchaikovsky’s holiday favorite Nutcracker with Party Guests, Trepak, Holiday Hoops and beautiful Waltz of the Flowers. Enjoy contemporary Jazz & Hip Hop along with favorites of Holly Jolly Christmas, Feliz Navidad and classical piano of Grieg, Schubert & Brahms in Poem. There will be young dancing Elves, Chicken Pox and Rudolphs. Guest performers by Gulfcoast Dance, Inc.

Choreography by Dance Bochette Faculty: Jeanne Bochette, Alyce Bochette, Jill Guenther, Jennifer Reed and Keri Sheets.

Ballet Scholars who passed their Spring 2011 Cecchetti Exams – a rigorous test that measures advancement in Ballet technique and knowledge­­ — will be honored.

Admission is FREE. Doors open for general seating 2:30. Santa will be on hand and a cookie party follows.

Dancers and parents, you can download the rehearsal and performance schedule for your information.

Registration will be Wednesday, August 10 through Saturday, August 13 (Wednesday-Friday 3-7pm; Saturday 11-2). Registration forms will be available at the studio, or you can download a registration form and have it filled out when you arrive. Questions? Please call the studio at 239.334.3274.

Dress Rehearsal Schedule

11:00 am Tech Crew Prepare Lights, Wings, Props etc.

2:30pm Dancers Arrive

2:30 – 3:45 pm

1. Hippity Hoppity Frogs
2. Cuddly Ducks
3. Clock Dancers

3:45 – 4:30 Hot Pink Scene

4. Drumbeat
5. Little Tap Shoes
6. Chim Chim Chere
7. Spoonful of Sugar

4:30 – 5:00

8. Black Swan
9. Flight
10. Dancin’ Free

5:00 – 5:15 Crew Break – Flight onstage

5:15 – 5:30

11. Tap ‘Till
12. Rockin’ Robin

5:30 – 5:50

13. Java
14. Listen

5:50 – 6:05

15. I Don’t Wanna Be Lost

6:05 – 6:45

16. Psalm 150
17. Finale

7:00 pm Dress in Show Order in Costume

Break & Return Sunday, June 12

• 10:00 am Crew – Check Floor
• 11:00 am Dancers – Prepare Dressing Room & Warm Up
• 12:00 pm Adjustment from Friday’s Rehearsal w/dancers
• 12:30 pm Crew – Break
• 1:00 pm Guests – Tech
• 2:30 pm House Opens

Highlights of this year’s performance include a special appearance by Dance Alive National Ballet’s principal dancers Andre Valladon and Michelle Incollingo, who will perform a duet from the classic ballet Carmen and a contemporary piece, Fused Tutu.

Dance Alive, which is designated as the State of Florida Touring Company, has had a long partnership with Gulfcoast Dance. That collaboration brings to Fort Myers not only the powerful performances of Valladon and Incollingo but also a special presentation of two pieces from the Dance Alive repertoire. Under the direction of Dance Alive choreographer and director Judy Skinner, local dancers will perform two of the company’s classical jazz pieces: I Don’t Wanna Be Lost, featuring the music of the University of Florida gospel choir, and Psalm 150, danced to the sweet sounds of Doc Sevrenson’s horn and band. These gospel-inspired works promise to lift you form your seat.

The show celebrates multiple other forms of dance, from ballet to tap to modern, and features dancers ages 3 through adult. Enjoy Cuddly Ducks, Hippity Hoppity Frogs, by the festival’s youngest performers, sense the drama of the young Black Swan corps de ballet, feel the Flight of unrestrained modern dancers and smile at the flirtatious Java, a ballet piece set to Al Hirt’s trumpet.

General admission tickets are $12, available now or at the door on the day of the performance. For more information or to purchase tickets in advance, please call 239.334.3274.

Spring Break

Spring Break begins next week! The studio will be closed for the week of April 25; we’ll see you again on May 1. Monday night’s Style Class is the only class meeting over the break.

Volunteer Moms

Our Festival of Dance is coming quickly! This is a big undertaking and requires attention from all of us. For each class, we need two volunteer moms to be backsatge and care for each class. Let us know if you would like to do this. You are responsible to line the children up, get them to the stage, collect them as they exit and return them safely to the dressing room. It is fun to do and the children appreciate your involvement.

Costumes

Costumes are arriving and costs will be posted soon. Please keep an eye out! In addition, Ballet wears pink tights & shoes, Modern, Tap & Jazz usually wear tan with appropriate shoes.

Dress Rehearsal

Tech & Dress for all dancers in Festival of Dance information will be coming to you soon. Our theater time is a little different this year with rehearsals meeting after-school on Thursday or Friday, nothing on Saturday and our show on Sunday. You will receive a schedule.

Angels

We are seeking Patron Supporters & Advertisers for our Festival of Dance Show Program. Support and advertising spaces are available at several levels. For full details and an application, download our supporters’ brochure. You may also call the studio at 239.334.3274.

Recommended ages of 15 & up through young adult dancers — Male & Female — will be seen. Age 11 – 14 welcome for master class & considered at choreographer’s discretion. The production includes dance skills in Modern & Classical Jazz Technique.

Judy Skinner, popular director and choreographer from Dance Alive National Ballet based in Gainseville, Forida, will cast corps and soloists for two (2) outstanding pieces of choreography. Setting of choreography will begin Thursday evening right after announcement of casting and continue through the weekend, Saturday, March 5 and Sunday, March 6 (Times TBA). Weekly rehearsal required through performance.

Details:

• Date: Thursday, March 3, 2011
• Time: 5:30-6:30pm
• Cost: $35 for Master Class and audition
• Casting & Rehearsal: follow until 9:00, to continue through the weekend
• Performance: June 12, 2011

Please sign up in advance by contacting our studio, or call 239.334.3274.