The streets will sound with tapping and twirling, leaping and jigging this Saturday, May 25, as the first annual Charlottesville Day of Dance takes over the Downtown Mall. This family-friendly event features an international array of dance forms and fitness practices, from Ireland to India, ballet to Nia.
Megan Hilary, the festival’s founder, says the event will be “the most comprehensive spread of the city’s dance offerings” to date, and that the event was created to raise awareness of the richness of dance traditions practiced in Charlottesville, as well as the artistic expression and health benefits available to those who get moving.
The full day of dance will feature troupes from the Charlottesville Ballet, Phoenix Dance Studio, PVCC Dance, Wilson School of Dance, Fire in the Belly belly dancers, and Nia and BodyGroove instructors. There will be opportunities for children to choreograph their own dances with members of the Charlottesville Ballet, facepainting, henna art, a massage tent, and the chance to discover a dance form your never knew existed.
The kinetic spectacles will take place on indoor and outdoor stages on the Mall from noon until late into the night. Catch performances of Tahitian dance by local Karine Morgan, Mukta Dance with Amanda Evans, drawn from the wisdom of yoga, and salsa, merengue, reggaeton, and bachata demos by Lilli Ross. And those of age can give the acrobatic silks and pole dancing a try with help from members of the Phoenix Dance Studio.
After the sun goes down, fire dancers and beats by DJ Elipss will close the festival down with a heart-pounding community outdoor dance party.
For a complete list of the scheduled events, visit www.cvillefest.wix.com/cvilledayofdance or email charlottesvilledayofdance@gmail.com. All events are free and open to the public, even to those with two left feet.