Forty talented 5th graders will celebrate the culmination of their ten-week Ballroom MADNESS school dance program as they represent their schools in the Ballroom MADNESS Elementary School Team Match.
The young dancers, students from First Street, Second Street, Breed Street and Castelar Elementary Schools in the L.A. Unified School District, will vie for the coveted trophy. The event, 10 a.m., Thursday, December 16, will be held at the Westmor Dance Hall, 3rd Floor, 607 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles. The public is encouraged to attend and admission is free of charge.
An outstanding group of celebrity judges will determine which of the four elementary school teams will be named the winners.
“I know how dance positively enriched my life and I wanted to offer children an opportunity to express their creativity in a setting that fosters respect, teamwork and accomplishment, ‘one step at a time”, said Jane Dorian, the group’s executive director and co-founder of the Brentwood-headquartered nonprofit.
Dorian and co-founder Daniel Ponickly created the arts education program three years ago from their shared passion for dance. “Our program is great for all students,†said Ponickly, “but it is especially gratifying when we can serve urban kids—teaching them social and partnership skills, while providing them with a positive alternative to gangs and street-life.â€
For more information: www.BallroomMadness.org or www.janedorian.com.
