Expressions, The Dance Gallery celebrates
Laureen F. Guenther
Times Contributor
Expressions The Dance Gallery has been teaching tap, jazz, ballet, musical theatre, lyrical, acro, hip-hop, modern and contemporary dance, since 1983, to students three-years-old and up. As they celebrate their 30th anniversary this year, they have an additional more reason to celebrate this month.
At a dance competition in Olds, in mid-April, says Carolyn Standing, Expressions’ office manager, “one of our numbers, called Lightning, came in second place for overall high score.”
Lightning is an “acro” (acrobatics) number, Standing explains, and it was performed by 7-to-17-year-olds.
Expressions isn’t pausing long to celebrate their achievements, though. They look forward to new spring programs, a June recital, and summer day camps.
They’re holding two half-hour preschool programs on Wednesdays, April 17 to June 19. Ballet Boogie runs from 1 p.m. to 1:30 p.m., and Kinder Dance from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m. Each ten-week program costs $125.
The Gallery also hosts two separate hour-long sessions of Springtime Saturday Sampler, on Saturdays, May 4 to June 15. That seven-week program costs $60.
Expressions will then host a year-end recital at the Jubilee Auditorium in Calgary, June 22.
“It’ll be (students from) the whole studio,” Standing says, including any adults who choose to participate. The recital will be a special time to recognize their 30th anniversary.
And for the summer, Expressions is already accepting registrations for five dance and activity camps.
The Princess Tea Party day camp, for age three and up, will be offered twice – from July 15 to 19, 10 a.m. til 12 Noon; and August 12 to 16, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Tutus and Tiaras camp is also for children age three and up, and will be held July 22 to 26, 10 a.m. to 12 Noon.
Kaleidoscope day camp, for children age five and up, will run August 12 to 16, and Bop Til U Drop, for children six years and up, will also be held August 12 to 16. For the same age group, the Dancin’ Divas will run from July 22 to 26, 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Each week-long day camp costs $100.
When adult programs resume at Expressions in the fall, Standing has encouragement for those who’ve never been involved in dance. Before taking her first dance class, “I was very scared,” she admits. “But I would say to adults that are interested and wanting to try it…that they should just put themselves out there and give it a try,” she says. “If nothing else, it’s a great evening out with good friends…and a night of exercise.”
To learn more or to register, see www.edgdancestrathmore.com or call 403-901-6392.