Dancing Through Time

In honor of the Year of the Woman, The Capital Region Dance Alliance announces the return of its popular program, Dancing Through Time. The program combines movement, lecture and video, highlighting the inspiration of women and their influence in American dance. Each class will focus on the works of a choreographer honored in the Dance Hall of Fame. Participants will dance the motifs of each artist, view their dances, try parts of their choreography and explore their inspirational process. Warmups, movement and dance will all be tailored for participants, age 50 and up.

Artists highlighted during the six-week Spring sessions will include Isadora Duncan, Ruth St. Denis, Doris Humphrey, Trisha Brown, Anna Sokolov and Marge Champion. Dance Alliance is a community organization that seeks to promote interest in the field of dance. It draws from area dance teachers who have studied and staged the works of these women whose accomplishments are now enshrined at the National Museum of Dance. A free tour of the museum will be offered to class participants preceding each class.

The faculty for the Spring series will include Beth Fecteau, director of Nacre Dance Company, Dr. Mary DiSanto-Rose, professor of dance at Skidmore College, Dr. Marianne Schultz, dance historian, Tina Baird, owner of Saratoga Jazz Tap and Dr. Sharon Sassaman, teacher and past curator at the National Museum of Dance. The program will be held from April 23rd through May 28th on Tuesdays at 1:15 to 2:45 at the Swyer Studios behind the National Museum of Dance in Saratoga Springs. The museum tour will begin at 12:15 and will highlight the choreographer of the day.

Registration for the full session can be done on site or online. Cost for the full six-week program is $75. Participants may attend singles classes for the fee of $15 per class (pay on site). In addition to teaching about dance history in America, classes will include warm-up and stretching exercises, dance choreography and opportunity for improvisation. No prior dance experience is necessary. Please join us for an afternoon of inspiration, healthy movement and fun.