Local dancers to head to Disneyland

Times Reporter

 

Twenty-seven students from Calgary Dance Express will be heading to Disneyland from July 6 to 11. Calgary Dance Express is a non-profit organization, and their purpose is to give dancers performing opportunities and cultural experiences around the world. The home base for Calgary Dance Express is in Expressions the Dance Gallery in Strathmore. 

“They will be doing the actual choreography from Disneyland. They will have two days of workshops there with the professional performers from Disneyland,” said Heather Thomas, artistic director for Calgary Dance Express, and owner of Expressions the Dance Gallery in Strathmore. 

The dancers will have classes on Thursday and Friday, they will do the rehearsal for the parade on Saturday, and then will do the parade on Saturday. On Sunday they will be part of the big show that all the other participants from all over the world will participate in together and put on a big performance. 

“It’s the first time we’ve done this actual Disney program but in the past, over the years Calgary Dance Express has performed under my direction at Disneyland, Disneyworld, Tokyo Disney and Paris Disney,” said Thomas. 

“They have done all four of the others before, but this is a new program that Disney has come out with where you actually get to do the main street parade.”

After the Calgary Dance Express does the Disney performance and tour, Thomas said that every two years the group will be planning big international trips. The group has begun fundraising for the trip and will be having charity BBQ’s with the help of M&M Meat Shops. 

“We would appreciate assistance with donations of any amount so much because you could imagine the type of cost of this type of tour. Everything is done by fundraising and the parents are responsible for doing that to get their kids there,” said Thomas.

Anyone wishing to help out can stop by Expressions the Dance Gallery.