National Dance Week
Thank you for joining us!
National Dance Week
April 22-29, 2019
All abilities welcome. FREE!
EUGfun is pleased to announce the inaugural National Dance Week. The goal of the week is to bring awareness to the value of dance as an important art form. We can use dance to foster inclusion and kindness in our community.
This vibrant celebration for dance lovers of all ages will include free workshops, pop-up performances and activities.
Calendar of Events
- Workshops/Activities - All Week
- Eugene Dance Celebration - April 27
- International Dance Gala - April 28
Contact the presenters listed below if you have questions about workshops and activities. Printable calendar of events. Opens a New Window.
Zumba Dance Fitness
Class
Thursday, April 25 • 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Fitness 1440
Opens a New Window.
Presented by Fitness 1440
Zumba is a fitness program inspired by various rhythms and dancing styles. The routines feature aerobic/fitness interval training with a combination of fast and slow dance moves that tone and sculpt the body.
Introduction to Flamenco
Class
Thursday, April 25 • 4-5 p.m.
Eugene Flamenco Arts Studio Opens a New Window.
Presented by Eugene Flamenco Arts Studio
Learn the basic positions and footwork patterns for this precise and passionate traditional dance form.
Tap Basics
Class
Thursday, April 25 • 5:45-6:45 p.m.
flex Studios, 1005 Oak Alley Opens a New Window.
Presented by flex Studios
Tap dance is a form of dance characterized by using the sounds of tap shoes striking the floor as a form of percussion. This Tap Basics class will lay the foundation of classic tap all while combining dynamic rhythm tap exercises. We offer a strong Tap program at flex Studios and are always looking for new hoofers to join. All ages welcome!
Modern Improv Experience
Class
Thursday, April 25 • 6:45-7:45 p.m.
flex Studios, 1005 Oak Alley Opens a New Window.
Presented by flex Studios
Modern Improv is designed for the adult dancer to enjoy and train in the beautiful dance genres of Modern, Contemporary and Ballet techniques. This class is designed to establish Modern technique foundations as well as accommodate the teen/adult dancer dedicated to self growth and introspection. Modern is a form of contemporary movement employing a special technique for developing the use of the entire body in movements expressive of abstract ideas. Come explore a new type of movement with us!
Nia for Every Body
Class
Friday, April 26 • 9-10 a.m.
Vet's Club, upstairs use back entrance
Presented by NiaEugene
Nia is a self-healing, pleasure-based movement class. We use a combination of Martial Arts, Dance Arts and Healing Arts to craft a movement experience that supports your whole self (body/mind/emotions/spirit). Most people dance barefoot but you can wear shoes if that is uncomfortable. All levels of experience are welcome.
Improvisation for movers, actors and dancers
Class
Friday, April 26 • 12-3 p.m.
Lane Community College Opens a New Window. , Studio 136 Bldg 5
Presented by Lane Community College
In this session, Bonnie Simoa presents improvisation concepts and scores based on Viewpoints concepts to build ensemble thinking and intuitive creative choice making. Dancers and actors of all levels welcome.
Dance & Accessibility lead by Nicole Malinoff
Discussion
Friday, April 26 • 4-5 p.m.
Presented by Nicole Malinoff
A discussion on the significance of dance for people with disabilities, the benefits that full inclusion could have on mainstream dance communities and how full access has the potential to honor all bodies.
Dancing with Respect - Honoring Culture
Panel Discussion
Friday, April 26 • 5:15-6:15 p.m.
Co-presented by LCC & City of Eugene Cultural Services
Moderator: Colette Ramirez
Panel: Bonnie Simoa | Balinese Dance | Martita Santiago | Flamenco Dance, Darin Henry | Native American Fancy Dance, Mike Moloi | African Gumboot Dance and others
Dance has been a significant part of human culture since time immemorial. While today it is often for entertainment purposes, its use can be traced back many thousands of years to ancient ceremonies and rituals.For as long as we have been moving, dancers have borrowed from other forms of movement. When too much inspiration is taken it can become cultural appropriation. Cultural appropriation differs from cultural exchange in that cultural elements are copied from a culture and these elements are used outside of their original cultural context. When does borrowing from another culture’s traditions become problematic and how do we show respect for these dance traditions?
Line Dancing for Beginners
Workshop
Friday, April 26 5:30-6 p.m.
Downtown Park Blocks Opens a New Window.
Presented by Twisted Tumbleweed
Come learn line dance basics with Twisted Tumbleweed dance instructors.
Open House Dance Extravaganza
Open House
Friday, April 26 • 6:30-7:30 p.m.
Eugene Ballet Academy Opens a New Window.
Presented by Eugene Ballet Academy
Movement activities for all ages designed to extend no longer than 10 minutes, so dancers can come and go during that hour. In addition there will be craft and coloring stations, treats and information about summer and regular season offerings.
Zumba
Class
Saturday, April 27 • 8:45-9:45 a.m.
River Road Annex Opens a New Window.
Presented by River Road Parks & Recreation District
Zumba is for everyone! Latin inspired routines are easy to follow and downright addictive. Come check out this free class.
Zumba Gold
Class
Saturday, April 27 • 9-10 a.m.
Emerald Park Community Center Opens a New Window.
Presented by River Road Parks & Recreation District
Zumba Gold is for all fitness levels and is for everyone! Latin inspired routines are easy to follow. Zumba Gold is unique as two instructors lead the class demonstrating basic moves and Zumba Gold modifications.
Double Funk
Workshop
Saturday April 27 • 10-11 a.m.
Formation Self-Care Studio Opens a New Window.
Presented by Let's Move Fitness Studio
Double Funk" an aerobic dance class taught by Denise Thomas, owner of Let's Moves Fitness Studio. This funky, jazz dance class make you want to move your body and work up a sweat! Included in the class: core, upper body and lower body conditioning as well as yoga stretching. Come join a energetic movement class that will make you not want to stop dancing...funk, hip, jazz and blues tunes are used for you to get your groove on...Come and Let's Move!
Movement Lab
Workshop
Sunday, April 28 • 3-5 p.m.
Center for Art Research, University of Oregon Opens a New Window.
Presented by Eugene Contemporary Art & hosted by the Center for Art Research (CFAR) at the University of Oregon.
The Movement Lab explores the generative capacities of sense perception, interpersonal relationships, and group dynamics. Movement is thought of in broad terms as gestures of cognition and communication. Together we are looking to understand something about touch, kinesthetic perception, and social choreography, with each other and our lived experiences as resources. How can we move differently by paying attention to our senses? The workshop will be facilitated by video and performance artist Agnese Cebere. Two hours long, it consists of task-based exercises inspired by a range of somatic practices, and discussion among the participants. No experience is necessary and anyone can participate. Please note: This event will be recorded for future use by the artist. The Movement Lab was developed by Agnese Cebere and dance artist and scholar Sasha Portyannikova in conjunction with the Media Studies course Urban Tactics and Performance taught by Nitin Sawhney at The New School in Spring 2018.
Eugene Dance Celebration
Saturday, April 27 • 11 a.m.-3 p.m.
Kesey Square Opens a New Window. Opens a New Window.
This dance filled celebration is open to all! Come enjoy performances from around the community and world at our main stage in Kesey square and the Saturday Market stage. There will be kid crafts, interactive dance activities and lots more.
International Dance Gala
Sunday, April 28 • 6-7:30 p.m.
Ragozzino Hall, Lane Community College Opens a New Window.
Presented by Lane Community College Dance Program & City of Eugene Cultural Services
As a finale for the City of Eugene’s first National Dance Week and in celebration of International Dance Day, we are proud to present the first annual International Dance Gala.
The International Dance Gala celebrates the best of Eugene’s world dance performers, presenting dances from diverse cultures including Balinese, Cuban, Hawaiian, African, Spanish, Indian, Middle Eastern and Native American. Leaders in Eugene’s world dance community committed to preserving and sharing dance of traditional cultures including Bonnie Simoa, Florabelle Moses, Akiko Colton, Michael Moloi, Martita, Priya Carden, Souzana and Darin Henry have all contributed dances for this extraordinary event.
The audience will travel across the globe, visiting continents and islands to get a taste of the cultures, and experience the dances of these rich traditions. Visual images and text will guide the audience through and experience that illuminates the beauty of the culture and the dances of their people.
Everyone is encouraged to come in traditional dress from your homeland, or favorite country.
For more information contact Bonnie Simoa Opens a New Window. , LCC Dance Faculty Lead.
Get Involved
Brought to you by the City of Eugene with support from these local businesses. Thank you to our sponsors for making Eugene a great place to live, work and play!
Special thanks to DanceAbility International for providing inclusion services and training during dance week.
History of National Dance Week: National Dance Week was formed in 1981 when a group of dance-related organizations began a strong grassroots movement to bring greater recognition to dance in the United States. National Dance Week celebrations occur throughout the nation.