Ravenswood Final Performance
This past March through June we were delighted to bring incredible community programming, of our annual SU-CASA sponsored dance residencies at three local older adult community centers in Queens. Supported by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, these three residencies encouraged older adults to get regular dance exercise and connect with their neighbors in our “Get Up and Dance Classes.” Our residencies took place at Rego Park Older Adult Center, Elmcor Older Adult Center, and Ravenswood Old Adult Center. Teaching artists Evelyn Hastings and Jiali Wang, as well as Director Valerie Green, visited each location twice a week to teach dance styles to community members, incorporating jazz, contemporary dance, Zumba, traditional Chinese dance, and more with the use of music, rhythmic instruments, fans, and other props. When asked about consistently taking dance classes, one participant said that, “the class is wonderful, Miss Jiali is professional and very patient. I am happy to attend her class.” Participants were able to see their growth from the beginning of the residency, and were empowered with a sense of accomplishment and pride in themselves and their work.
As an exciting finale to the residency, the participants also learned choreography and performed for their community this past week, in conjunction with a visit from Dance Entropy’s company dancers, who performed HOME for the community members. Some of the participants had taken classes with Dance Entropy teaching artists before, but for some it was their first time performing on a stage. The excitement of the performers and the audience was clear at each venue Dance Entropy visited. One performer described the process by saying, “It was such an adventure, I’ve never done something like this before.” One of the aids added that “the ladies here love it!” By the end of the performance everyone was up and dancing together, even those who had been shy at the beginning of the day.
Director Valerie Green has been running this program for years, and says “Each season I am delighted by working with so many diverse and wise souls willing to try something new, have fun, play, laugh, and explore. I leave each class feeling fulfilled in sharing this precious time together, and it warms my heart to make my students laugh and smile too!” Dance Entropy is proud to have facilitated these performances and thanks the organizations, administrators, teaching artists, aids, and councilmembers who continue to make this programming possible.
