Polaris: Have you always liked dancing?
Twylo: Yes! Yes! I started when I was 2. Jody made me a ballet barre. I like to dance to musicals and to Star Wars (the soundtrack). My favorite music is classical. And musicals.

Polaris: What made you want to take dance classes?
Twylo: Because I like to dance.

Polaris: What are some of the things you have learned in your dance classes so far at Polaris?
Twylo: A tendu. And the word “improv”.

Polaris: What do you like about taking dance classes at Polaris?
Twylo: Everything. I like the stretching when I walk in the door. And to watch M’Liss and her other students.

Polaris: Does the idea of performing make you nervous or excited?
Twylo: Nervous-Excited. I mean Nervous!

Polaris: Do you want to perform one day on the big stage?
Twylo: Maybe.

Polaris: Who is your favorite dancer?
Twylo: Beginner dancers, like I was when I was two, because they’re working really hard.

Polaris: Besides dancing, what else do you like to do?
Twylo: Drawing and singing.

Polaris: What subjects do you like best in school?
Twylo: P.E. and Lunch/Recess. / My favorite show is the Nutcracker… and Mary Poppins.

Polaris: How did you discover Polaris?
Jody: Extensive internet research! After watching videos of the company, I knew this is where Twylo needed to be.

Polaris: How have you seen Twlyo grow while taking dance classes?
Jody: I can’t believe the amount of choreography that he can remember. He is being held to a high standard while respecting his age. I find that there are usually two kinds of dance classes for his age: one which expects too much, and one which expects too little. M’Liss seems to have found a perfect balance.

Polaris: Has taking dance classes affected his sense of expression, creativity, and self esteem?
Jody: Twylo definitely feels incredibly confident about his dancing and proud of taking classes at Polaris.

Don’t miss Twylo in the Polaris Student and Junior Company Concert on June 3^rd at 4PM and AGAIN at 6PM. BUY TICKETS HERE!

Kemba’s choreography is fast and that is not surprising. In her manner there is a quality of constant motion. She paces the studio guiding the dancers, marking, humming and demonstrating.  Yet this boundless energy is carefully directed and controlled as magically more and more dance phrases are added.

“No Way Out” is set to music by Portland jazz sensation Esperanza Spalding. The piece – “Chacarera” from the Chamber Music Society album – has a hypnotic undertone that serves to connect Ms. Spalding’s frenetic scatting. It is at once adagio and allegro in its rhythm.  In the same way Kemba’s choreography layers multiple patterns of energetic movement and then converges on one or two dancers.  These moments are like a breath of freedom before the individual dancer is swallowed up by the chaos of the group.

The company clearly enjoys the work. They are pushed to their limit in terms of speed and control in a way that is challenging yet not defeatist. They quickly grasp Kemba’s intentions as they focus to catch every word.

Things change on the fly. A single line forms with one dancer following another in a coordinated flurry of movements to successive counts. Kemba watches and says, “No. Now let’s try that with the front and last person starting on the ’1′ and meet in the middle.” Without hesitation the dancers follow through. “Better,” she says. Then Kemba breaks up the line by instructing the last dancer to crash her way through the others to the front. She enjoys a beat of quiet away from the group before being swallowed up again. There is no way out!

See video from Kemba’s rehearsal here

“No Way Out” will be premier at the X-Posed Concert June 6-16. Tickets are on sale now. click HERE to purchase

 Q: Where are you from/where did you grow up?
Neha: I am from India and I grew up in a place called Hyderabad.

Q: Was dance ever a part of your life growing up (or something you were interested in?)
Neha: Dance has always been a very big part of my life. It has always given me a sense of happiness, enjoyment, achievement, freedom and peace! It’s something that makes the negative energies go away! Though I never was trained in any specific dance form, I always tried learning from Television and participated in as many dance performances in school and in the community near my home.

Q: What drew you to take classes at Polaris?
Neha: I always wanted to take dance classes and initially joined Polaris to give it a try. As the classes began, I realized how much dancing means to the staff at Polaris. All the teachers and dancers there are like a big warm funny and crazy family… the more I went there the more I felt like a part of it and wanted to remain a part of it. Everything seemed possible there… to learn …to dance… to smile!!! It’s one of the most wonderful things that happened to me.

Q: What is your current job and how does dance fit into your life?
Neha: I am an IT consultant. But office-to-home and home-to-office is not a life I want to lead. Dance is a crucial part of mine… and I would do anything to let it remain a part of me. So I try to juggle and try to make time as much as possible. I do have to give up on a few things…but that is absolutely fine!

Q: What has been your experience taking classes at Polaris?
Neha: I have had a very positive and encouraging experience… Polaris has taught me to look forward…believe everything is possible if we are determined and passionate… My instructor Sarah Lakey has played a big, big role in helping me stick to dancing and encouraging me at every step. Colleen Genuine was wonderful and friendly… Meeting M’liss Stephenson and Amy and Sarah and all others has been inspirational…I only have praises and more praises for Polaris…I want to continue being a part of it in spite of my job and travel!!!

 Q: At Polaris we believe that dance is for everyone, and it’s not out of anyone’s realm to learn how to dance and enjoy it. How has this belief affected your experience at Polaris?
Neha: I think Polaris and I share the same belief!!! I think dancing is something very beautiful when done from heart… Its not about how dancing looks…its about how dancing feels like… its about showing our inner most emotions…about connecting to all the positive energies around us… about being with people we love!!! Its a very diving and sacred thing. That is what I have learned at Polaris and that is what has made me completely fall in love with Polaris and its people there!

Q: How has dancing at Polaris affected your sense of passion, your mood, your well-being?
Neha: Dance is a positive energy…Dancing at Polaris has actually helped me through some very, very difficult times… It has helped me laugh when I felt really lonely and beaten up!!!  People at Polaris were so friendly and caring and telling me all the time I could dance like I always wanted to… I think I would have ended up being very bitter, had it not been for dancing… and Polaris has ensured I have the passion and my dreams intact … I always feel happy and wonderful whenever I am at Polaris and always feel like doing more … Polaris gives me a vision and focus!!

Thank you Niha for taking the time to share your thoughts with us. We hope your words inspire others to bring dance into their lives!!

Willamette Week:
Groovin Greenhouse 1

Fertile Ground is best known for its showcases of new theater works, but the festival also nurtures dance in development in its Groovin’ Greenhouse series. This year, the innovative Polaris Dance Theater offered its Goose Hollow studio theater space to a dozen presenters over five different shows. Beat Bangerz led off the first on Jan. 21 with its mix of traditional tap rhythms and contemporary sounds, which the group calls “sounds of funk tap” but occasionally veered into what might be called “tap hop.” The high energy performances mixed experienced and amateur performers, ingratiating choreography by Damon Keller, Erin Lee, Hillary Hart and Shannon Wilcox, and a casual vibe that seemed to invite everyone to give it a try. Clearly tap has a place in the 21st century. See Beat BangerZ Video

PDX Dance Collective followed with a multi-part portrait of street living, addiction and abandonment (using what’s become the all-purpose signifier of tragedy, Samuel Barber’s Adagio for String Orchestra and other music) that, despite sometimes bearing its thematic burden heavily, makes me eager to see their Feb. 24-26 showcases at Headwaters Theater.

The real gem of the evening was Portland Festival Ballet’s Fluid, which somehow created a compelling near-narrative out of classically based choreography (by Lavinia Magliocco) despite the fact that Portland composer Susan Alexjander’s gorgeous electronic score was an entirely ambient composition that originally accompanied an art installation. The resulting tension sparked a gripping tautness that either component might have otherwise lacked individually. The Greenhouse here certainly cultivated an unexpectedly sturdy hybrid.

Invictus Dance:
NW Fusion, DCO & Polaris Were Stunning Last Night At The Groovin’ Greenhouse

The Groovin’ Greenhouse kicked off its second weekend at the Polaris Studio Theatre as a part of the ten-day city-wide Fertile Ground Festival of new works. Polaris Studio Theatre’s lobby opened a little after 7:00 PM and quickly became crowded with an eclectic group of people who enjoyed refreshments before the show.

NW Fusion began the show with a work featuring high-energy jazz choreography. These 14-to-18 year old pre-professional dancers showcased their technique and snazzy stage presence in this piece. I greatly enjoyed the 40′s Swing inspired choreography along with the upbeat music. I expected the following three pieces to be in same style as the first and was impressed to see the program shift direction – clearly demonstrating the company’s versatility.

NW Fusion closed with a dark and gloomy work. The dancers appeared onstage in a straight line all wrapped up in one continuous black cloth. As the music began, the dancers slowly walked down a diagonal line across the stage. Their movement was soothing in its consistency and appeared more like visual art than raw dance. Then, an individual dancer would break out of the black cloth and execute a beautiful solo only to quickly return to the line and the cloth. This happened four more times before the cloth was temporarily removed so that the dancers could explore the stage again. The piece ended as it began with the dancers wrapped up in the black cloth in a straight diagonal line, only this time facing the opposite way. One-by-one they tumbled down the cloth until only one dancer remained. Although it was a darker piece, it was stunning. Company Director, Brad Hampton along with fellow company choreographers Eowyn Barrett and Erika Boudreau are to be commended for creating a program with great variety and substance for these talented pre-professionals to perform.

The Dance Coalition of Oregon presented works by four diverse local choreographers and companies: Rachel Slater, Kristine Anderson, Agnieszka Laska Dancers and The Dolly Pops. The first piece was a modern solo set to techno music. The dancer explored each part of her body as she repeated movements before she moved onto the next dance phrase. Next came a beautiful ballet. The music was enchanting. The choreography captured the essence of the song magnificently. Following the ballet was another modern solo that involved an extremely long and see-thru white skirt. The dancer used the skirt as apart of her movement as she kicked it up to fly into the air and then found herself rolling around tangled in it.

DCO closed their segment with a comedic performance by the Dolly Pops. The Dolly Pops performed two pieces, opening with a hilarious number to the song “Hoochie Mama.” Dressed in bright blue Asian inspired tops and ruffled, bright, pink panties, these dancers knew how to work their hips, bat their eyelashes and get the crowd engaged. Next the Dolly Pops grabbed matching bright pink oversized feathered fans and worked them in flirtatious ways to Asian-inspired song.

After a brief intermission, Polaris Dance Theatre took the stage to perform a 25-minute work-in-progress titled “Dis-Cooperire.” According to the program, “Dis-Cooperire – meaning to completely uncover – explores the human experience with respect to romantic relationships. Expressed beautifully through dance, the piece addresses the mixed feelings of excitement and awkwardness in discovering another individual on an intimate level.”

Dis-Cooperire is set to original music composed by Polaris Artistic Director, Robert Guitron who explained that this excerpt is part of a longer work called Tangled that explores the word love.  While introducing the piece he commented, “we all say I love this vest, I love you grandpa, I love you wife, I love this vacation, but what do all those different ways of expressing love really mean?”

Polaris dived right into the idea of love with contemporary solos, partner work and intricate formations allowing the dance to constantly move in new directions. Roughly halfway through the work the core group of dancers was joined by others adding intensity to the stage as more bodies connected and disconnected between solos and partnering.

When Mr. Guitron announced the 25-minute run time, I was skeptical that the work could keep my attention and not put me to sleep. Surprisingly it seemed to go by in 5-minutes as I was completely enthralled by the constant exploration of love. I look forward to seeing the completed work performed by Polaris as part of its X-Posed concert June 6-16, 2012 at the Polaris Studio Theater.”

Invictus Dance:
Cerrin Lathrop + Carlyn Hudson With SubRosa Dance Collective Rocked It Last Night At Groovin’ Greenhouse

Last night’s Groovin’ Greenhouse, again, started promptly at 8:00 p.m. opening with Cerrin Lathrop and Carlyn Hudson and members of SubRosa Dance Collective. The first piece was a duet followed by a handful of solo pieces before the entire company found themselves on stage. This group of dancers placed themselves in two’s or alone on the ground and, one at a time, began to dance as a pair or in a solo. Finding inspiration from swimming, their modern movement gave the illusion they were in water. The last soloist to pop up from the sea of dancers purposefully moved in an egotistical and vain fashion giving the impression she was full of herself. Turns out she gave her fellow dancers the same impression because once she was off stage the rest of the dancers popped up and mocked her movement in perfect comedic timing. It was hilarious.

The next few numbers followed along in the theatrical and comedic route with a classical ballet turned into birds on a wire, flocking together. The whole audience was laughing out loud. I hope to see this piece performed again someday. Next up, a beautiful modern solo that completely captured my attention. I might have to steal some of these moves as I return to the studio on Monday. As the piece came to a close, the lights went out and other dancers took the stage for the next performance. The light came back on and, before the audience, were three dancers behind three microphone stands in black heels and bright blue sequined dresses. The laughter continued from the audience.

Sub Rosa closed their performance dressed in all white as the speakers began to blurt out “Hallelujah Rejoice”. Cerrin, Carlyn and the SubRosa Dance Collective found a way to combine elements of modern dance, ballet, theater and laughter to the stage. I can’t wait to see what these dancers come up with next.

After a brief intermission, Polaris Dance Theatre took the stage performing their 25 minute work, Dis Cooperire, which was also presented the night before. Although I had just watched this piece performed yesterday, I observed new movements, expressions, and intimate moments allowing me to fall in love all over again. It was like rereading your favorite book. You slowly begin to remember why you fell in love with it in the first place, but for different reasons.

Welcome Baby Alanna!

The Polaris family is very happily growing! Two of our dancers – Colleen Genuine and Haley Blaise – are currently pregnant. (BLOG UPDATE! Colleen delivered a baby girl last Saturday January 7th!). Haley is due on Father’s Day, June 17th.  Another Polaris company member – Jenny Dubac – gave birth to lovely baby Alanna last September and is now in the process of returning to rehearsals in preparation for Polaris’s June X-Posed concert.

Since all three women are in different stages of new motherhood, we thought this would be an interesting time to have them discuss the physical demands of pregnancy from a dancer’s perspective. Here are their stories:

Q: How are you approaching dancing while being pregnant (or when you were pregnant)? 

Colleen: One day, one month at a time. Our bodies are amazing in what they can do, dancer or not. Having this new element of life and growth invited me to listen differently to my body and to understand the changes that were happening internally.  At around the 6th month of my pregnancy I was taking a ballet barre and realized that my hips and knee joints were telling me it was time to back off from this style of movement. I had to listen to this.  As frustrating as it was to back off, it was important to not push myself beyond my limits.

Haley: I’ve eased off the dancing since finding out I was pregnant and am sticking to teaching.  Robert’s (Polaris Artistic Director, Robert Guitron) genius choreography is so intense and demanding that I don’t feel like I can put my all into it.  Falling to the floor or partnering makes me nervous and wonder if I’m going to hurt the baby or myself.  I’m quite the perfectionist and want to push myself, but right now I think it’s time to sit back and enjoy the beauty of the rest of the company.

Jenny: This was my first pregnancy, so ignorance was bliss. The Lil’ Mo shows were already in the works and my goal was to dance until the end of the run, my 26th week. My plan was to eat well, try to get sleep, and dance as much as my body allowed. Robert was fantastic about altering partnering and double casting. Even so, I struggled with how extreme the changes in my body were!   

Q: What did you feel change first in your dancing while pregnant?

Colleen and her baby goldfish

Colleen: Respiratory and Cardiovascular changes … the first three months I had the hardest time catching my breath and would feel spent from running a 2-minute piece.

Haley: I’m noticing changes in my stamina most of all.  I get winded so easily! My sense of balance is off and my legs don’t feel strong enough to hold me up.

Jenny: My dancing became more grounded. It was fantastic since I struggle with giving my movement enough connection to the floor.

Q: What challenges do you face as a dancer as your body changes?

Colleen: Being pregnant for the first time, my greatest challenge was understanding my limitations. Until the sixth month of my pregnancy I was still dancing and trying things. At that point I got a clear signal from my body to modify or not do a certain movement. I really miss dancing at a high level of intensity. I keep reminding myself that through this wonderful experience I’ll have a better appreciation for what my body is capable of. The resilience of the body is amazing. Just like gaining weight and losing weight, the body can fluctuate in relation to strength and flexibility. Knowing that I can return to dance and to pushing myself physically lets me relax into releasing and letting go – to provide a nurturing space for my baby to grow.

Haley: Mornings were and still are my biggest challenge.  So getting to class and rehearsals was extremely difficult for me.  My body doesn’t move the same way and that can be a little frustrating sometimes.  I’ll get it back though!  This is a little off subject, but a HUGE challenge is finding maternity pants long enough for me!  Maybe I should start my own maternity line….. (FYI – Haley is 6 feet tall and is fond of wearing heals!)

Jenny: Obviously, I struggled with the physical issues pregnancy creates. However, the greater challenge was my brain thinking it could make my body move like it had the day before. My “muscle” memories didn’t update themselves and factor in new physical differences.

 Q: What were your experiences performing while pregnant?

Colleen (left) in Lil' Mo - 12 weeks pregnant

Colleen: The run of Lil’ Mo was while I was three months pregnant. I was grateful that my nausea and generally ill feeling went away tech week, so that by the time the run came I had more energy for performance. There was a sweet side to performing while pregnant. I had not told many people that I was pregnant and there was an element of dancing for the unknown that added a boost of energy for the show. 

Haley: Well, apparently I was pregnant during our October iChange show but didn’t know yet.  I had some thoughts that it may be a possibility.  Mostly I wanted to get through the run, then find out if it was true or not.  In some ways it made me dance harder because in the back of my mind I was thinking, “this may be the last show for a while Haley, gotta give it your all!

Jenny (left) in Lil' Mo - 26 weeks pregnant!

Jenny:Terrifying (just kidding… sort of). Performing is nerve racking because so many things are unpredictable. Adding a moving baby, extra weight, and fatigue, and I just had to say a prayer and trust my ability to adapt. But I should also add it was fascinating to look in a mirror at this incredible new shape I developed. You do not often see a pregnant lady doing some extreme movement.

Q: What other forms of movement are you participating in during pregnancy? Pilates, yoga, etc?

Colleen: I had a strong yoga and Pilates regime before my pregnancy which I’ve continued. In addition to these modalities, I have been swimming 3-4 times a week. This allows me to keep larger movements possible, maintain some cardio and muscular endurance training while supporting my joints and the changes happening in my body.

Haley: I’m teaching more now and that is very physically demanding.  On days when I teach multiple classes, it’s almost like I’m taking every one of those classes as well because I have to demonstrate full out. I do yoga and some Pilates at home.  Now that I’ve got more energy, I’ll be signing up for Prenatal Yoga at Yoga in the Pearl.  Can’t wait!

Jenny: I took pilates to keep some core strength and I walked a lot.

Q: Are you still taking class?

Colleen: I wish!! 36 weeks pregnant and all I want to do is take a class, and sweat. But right now I’m preparing for the biggest performance of my life to date…

Haley's arabesque in iChange - very early stages of pregnancy

labor. I’m now in full relaxation mode and turning inwards towards my yoga practice to help me prepare for the next big show.

Haley: Nope, I get frustrated when I can’t do everything I use to be able to do.  Like arabesque, it’s impossible with a belly!  But I’ll be back soon!

Q: Jenny, what is rehearsal like after giving birth?

Jenny: I started to come to class/rehersal five weeks after Alanna was born. I think I made it through three exercises before needing to give myself a break. It will take some time to recover. My goal is to dance in the Polaris X-Posed concert in June.

Q: Now that you are dancing again what is it like bringing Alanna to rehearsal?

Jenny: I am so grateful to be dancing for a company that allows me to bring her into the studio. More often than not if she gets fussy, Robert grabs her and proceeds to rehearse us with her in his arms. She loves him!

Q: How did your awareness of your body as a dancer help prepare you for giving birth? 

Jenny: I really believe my seven-hour labor was due in part to being so in tune with my body. The ability to focus all your thoughts on engaging or releasing muscles is needed in labor and dance. Both are spiritual experiences.

Thanks to all you lovely women for sharing your experiences with us. We wish you all the best! And thanks too to the intrepid Sarah Lakey – Polaris Staff Assistant Extraordinaire – for gathering up all this great information!

Because these kids live with the day-to-day struggle of everything this disease involves, their experience at camp is designed to be worry and judgment free. It’s a safe haven from the rest of society, where they can just “be”. There are no questions asked, and no labels assigned.  What the camp community offers is a great deal of love and support. The children sing songs, play games, go canoeing, and have themed dress up days. M’Liss says “It’s a very freeing experience.”

As the camp dance teacher, M’Liss taught the kids choreography from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” video. At the end of camp she coordinated a Thriller Flash Mob with all the campers joining in. “It was slightly chaotic, but super rad!” says M’Liss. She also got the kids to challenge themselves by teaching an introductory aerial class. She brought special equipment including aerial silks, and hoops. “When the kids first saw the silks and hoop, they had all these reasons for why they wouldn’t be able to do it, but once they gave it a shot, they discovered a new experience that they thought was impossible.”

After spending a week at camp, M’Liss realized that  “Camp Starlight and Polaris share similar goals, and ideas. They both provide a supportive, judgment free environment, that really makes every participant feel valued for what they have to give. Once you are involved in Camp Starlight, or dance for Polaris, you are always welcome. You are always a part of a family.”

This blog submitted by Polaris Dance Theatre company member Chase Hamilton

We were amazed at the spontaneity on the part of drop-in participants such as a student chef taking a break between classes at the Cordon Bleu Culinary Arts College. This young man jumped into morning yoga wearing chef hat and toque and then ran off immediately afterwards to check on his soufflés.

We were delighted too with the many participants who planned their entire day around the festival taking in multiple classes and performances such as Diana Bustos who recently moved to Portland. We watched doubtfully as she signed up for Yoga followed by Jazz Fusion, Contemporary, African and Bollywood classes – over 5 hours of exercise! The intrepid Diana smiled enthusiastically and sweated her way through it all. In her words:

“The yoga woke my body as I saluted the sun that peaked out from an overcast sky, jazz pushed me physically, modern challenged me technically, African stimulated me culturally, while Bollywood allowed me to celebrate the joy of life!”

Carole Beauclerk in Bollywood Class

Carole Beauclerk who has been dancing since the age of 5 – and recently celebrated her 68th birthday! – planned her weekend around the festival. She took yoga, African, Bollywood and Latin Ballroom classes and also attended several performances. “I love dance,” she says. “It makes me feel so good – it is effortless exercise for both mind and body.” Her advice to anyone seeking to stay young at heart, “keep moving… bop till you drop!” We will take your advice Carole and a very Happy Birthday to you!

Flamenco class with Laura Onizuka

In addition to classes the festival offered many and varied dance performances. We marveled along with you at the incredible aerial work presented by Pendulum Aerial Arts, A-WOL Dance Collective and

The Circus Project

Circus Project. Suspended from hanging points set in the Director Park glass canopy 30 feet high, these artists carved the air with their graceful movements. We were tickled to see members of the Portland Parks Department return after hours to join in the Bollywood party – Bollywood Class Video – . We learned the fundamentals of pas de deux class with a beautiful demonstration by The Portland Festival Ballet. We enjoyed the passion and drama of Flamenco with a performance and class given by the lovely Laura Onizuka. Finally as the sun made a late Saturday afternoon appearance, we enjoyed performing for you a few pieces from our June show Lil’ Mo.

Portland Festival Ballet

For those of you who were there we are so happy that you joined us. For those that couldn’t attend we hope these pictures and video give you a sense of what to expect next year!

“What a beautiful thought to have every body moving… the whole city!” – Diana Bustos, dancer, on Galaxy Dance Festival.

Join us as we explore the rich diversity of dance in the Portland Community. From cultural dance forms such as Flamenco, African and Hip Hop… to classical and contemporary dance… to Latin Ballroom and Bollywood – there is a world of dance to discover in Portland. The Galaxy Festival brings this world together for two event-packed days that include performances, demonstrations and classes. ADMISSION IS FREE!

This year’s participants include: A-WOL Dance Collective, Agnieszka Laska Dancers, The Circus Project, Rainbow Dance Theatre, Edge DanceSport, Portland Festival Ballet, Flamenco artist Laura Onizuka, Pendulum Aerial Arts and Polaris Dance Theatre. Classes will be mixed in with performances to enhance understanding of the various dance forms and give the public a chance to get on stage and perform themselves. Professional dance instructors include: Robert Guitron of Polaris Dance Theatre, William McClellan of Dayton Contemporary Dance and DJ Prashat Kakad leading a Bollywood class and demonstration on Friday night! CLICK HERE FOR THE GALAXY PROGRAM.

The mornings will kick off with conditioning warm ups including a class offered by Lululemon Athletica’s yoga ambassadors on Saturday at 10:00 AM. Pilates and yoga practices have become a major part of most dancers’ regimen to promote good physical health. Polaris encourages anyone planning on taking a dance class later in the day to start the morning with a good warm up! Interested participants of dance and/or conditioning classes should come dressed in comfortable clothes. Classes offered on the main stage may require soft-soled shoes, socks or bare feet. All dance classes require a signed waiver. Class space is limited. Interested participants should arrive early to reserve a space.

This year’s Galaxy Dance Festival is made possible in part by the generous support of The Boeing Company. Additional support for this project was provided in part by a grant from the Oregon Arts Commission and the National Endowment for the Arts.

We look forward to seeing you there!!!