This article appeared in the April 30, 2003 Cambridge Chronicle

Small steps to gather

By Susie Davidson

CORRESPONDENT

The pitter patter of small feet will fill the halls of the Dance Complex this Sunday as youthful representatives from over 15 local dance groups take to the stage for the Children’s Dance Festival.

The 11^th annual festival, which will help kick off the Cambridge Dance Month celebration, is always held on the first Sunday in May. Facilitated by volunteer organizers Eve Agush, Gloria Castano, Karyn Edison, Neena Gulati Dhanda, Erica Sigal and Jeanne Traxler, all of whom run their own groups, the response rate wildly exceeded expectations.

“We have always believed in including as many children as possible,” explained Traxler. But due to the overwhelming response (normally 8-11 groups at most heed the invite), policies had to be altered. “We split the performance into two studios, and each child has been limited to one audience member,” she said. Though these measures were implemented in order to maximize the number of participants, “the Complex is not infinitely expandable,” she continued. “There will be almost no room for the general public.” Next year, she hopes, plans will be revamped in order to include all who were left out.

The festival was begun in 1991 by the six, all who teach different forms of dance. “We felt it would be a great opportunity for children to get a taste of other styles of dance,” said Dhanda. “I had just returned from the Child International Conference which was held in Utah and featured 1500 participants from around the world,” recalled Traxler. “It was an incredibly inspiring nine days of performances and classes for adults and children.” The six, who did not go to dance competitions, knew that few opportunities existed for kids to meet and be inspired by other young dancers. They sent out letters to the community and contacted the Dance Complex, which was very generous in providing space and personnel.

“We felt that it was important for children to dance together and learn something new from the day,” said Traxler. They thus decided to hold brief, 20-minute workshops, which would include teacher’s demonstrations of their specific expertise. The workshops, where the children meet each other in a neutral atmosphere, are followed by a fast space-check for each group, where each group sets entrances and exits and speaks to the lighting and sound people, while other groups are dressing, snacking and rehearsing in other studios. At a 4 p.m. performance, each group dances their choice of work for 8-10 minutes.

The afternoon’s agenda will include handgestures and movements used in Indian dance taught by Dhanda, ballet led by Edison, tap by Agush, hip-hop by another teacher, and so on. After a snack and a sound and light setup, the children dress in traditional costumes and perform a short piece.

The children, who this year include Sophie Kaner, Priyanka Srinivasan and Tara Krishnan, come from organizations which include the Children’s Ballet Company, Chinese Cultural Center Dancers, Dances by Isadora Duncan, Dancing Arts Ensemble (modern, ballet and jazz), Fatou’s African Sunrise, Fresh Pond Ballet, Glasswings (theatrical), Hip Hop Combi Dance Crew, Jamnastics, La Piata (Folklorique), SMALL FEETS dance company (modern creative movement), Smith Houlihan Academy of Irish Dance, Topf Center for Dance Education (modern), Triveni School of Dance (Indian classical), Walnut Hills Extension Division (modern and ballet), as well as the students of teachers Gloria Castano (dance/theater), Gretchen Hayden (Indian Kathak), Anna Myer (ballet), Pam Raff (tap), and Margo Skalecki (jazz).

“Participation in the Children’s Dance Festival brings many benefits,” said Traxler. Among these, she cited, are recognition and exposure,

a chance to network with other teachers, a non-competitive performing opportunity for students, a way for young dancers to meet others who dance seriously, a chance for kids to work briefly with other teachers, and an avenue for participation in a diverse concert of dances before a large audience of supportive peers and adults.

Older dancers will have their own workshop, and serve as inspiring role models for the younger students. “The day is a lot of fun and the process is always enjoyable,” said Traxler.