Footworks Dance Academy is taking their show on the road, so to speak, as part of a working vacation.
From March 23-30, a group of 16 dancers ranging from 13 to 26 years old, plus their chaperones/instructors, will be going Puerto Vallarta, Mexico to perform two shows at a popular resort as part of a working vacation.
Footworks owner and artistic director Irene Widdup said that every two years, in an effort to broaden her students’ experience, she takes a group of interested dancers on an educational trip to another country.
“It’s not only educational in terms of dance and performance, but understanding the world around them, by meeting new people and communities, as well as instilling in them the knowledge of how fortunate they are and the need to give back, not only to their community but the world,” she said.
In the past, the school travelled to New York, Disney World and even performed on a cruise ship, but in recent years they have gone to locations where they can also perform humanitarian service. Their last trip was to the Dominican Republic.
Their show, which is titled “That’s entertainment,” is 50 minutes long and will include a variety of styles, such as tap, jazz, ballet, musical theatre, hip hop and contemporary.
“In the show, there are 17 different standalone dance numbers,” Widdup said.
While in Puerto Vallarta, the troupe will be visiting Sand Pancho, a small village about 30 minutes from the resort. While visiting its community centre, Entreamigos (roughly translated “between friends”), they will put on a children’s dance workshop and organize some fun activities, such as a scavenger hunt.
They will also give some basic school supplies, such as backpacks, pens, pencils, paper and binders, to the community centre that they will distribute to needy children.
If they wish to help out with this charitable giving, Barrhead residents can drop off school supplies at Footworks Dance Academy (5022 50 Street) until March 20.
The school will be hosting a preview of the show on Sunday March 10 at the Cultural Arts Theatre in Westlock at 1 p.m.
Tickets are $18 and are available at Footworks Dance Academy. To reserve a ticket, call 780-674-4886 or e-mail at [email protected]. Tickets are also available at the door.
Proceeds will go towards offsetting the cost of the trip to the dancers and their families.
Widdup said one of the reasons why they are previewing the show in Westlock is because the theatre has a larger seating capacity and stage.
The size of the latter is especially important, because there are times when all 16 dancers are on stage.
“From a choreography point of view, to be able to have them all on stage and still be able to move around is a big feat,” she said.
