We Can Do It with Dance!

Cleveland’s first inclusive dance festival offers a day of dance classes for participants of all ages and abilities. Join the Dancing Wheels Company & School and North Pointe Ballet at Beck Center for the Arts on August 19, 2023 for a full schedule of classes in multiple genres and styles of dance adapted for people with diverse abilities and open to all learning levels. The end of the day includes a Dance Party and Reception for students, friends, and families.

Funding for this program is provided in part by Cuyahoga County Board of Developmental Disabilities.

Date & Time:

Saturday, August 19, 2023

10:00a.m. – 3:30p.m.

Location:

Beck Center for the Arts – Music & Creative Arts Therapies (MCAT) Building

17801 Detroit Ave, Lakewood, OH 44107

Class Descriptions:

Sensory Friendly – Sensory friendly dance introduces neurodiverse and neurotypical individuals to stretching, exploring movements from different styles of dance, and dance games in an inclusive, welcoming, and accepting environment. For ages 8–13. (NPB–Melaina McConnell, lead instructor)

Physically Integrated Dance (PID) Modern – Instructors from the Dancing Wheels Company & School will lead a physically integrated modern dance class using translation and adaptive movement approaches. For ages 14 & up. (DW–Sara Lawrence-Sucato and Mary Verdi-Fletcher, lead instructors)

Jazz Funk – Fierce, fun and energized, this class blends jazz dance and various other popular dance styles! For ages 8–13. (DW–Dominique Patton, lead instructor)

Ballet – Increase and strengthen technical aspects of the traditional classical artform. For ages 14 & up. (NPB–Elizabeth Radachi, lead instructor)

Theater Dance – Combines jazz, ballet, and pantomime movements in choreographed combinations and improv games that communicate stories and express feelings. For ages 8–13. (NPB–Janet Dziak, lead instructor)

Capoeira – Capoeira is a martial art disguised as dance. For ages 14 & up. (DW–Frank Polk, lead instructor)

Dance Party – Open to all festival participants, students, family members, and friends, the Dance Party hosted by Dancing Wheels and North Pointe Ballet offers an inclusive atmosphere to learn popular line dances and enjoy social dancing. Refreshments will be provided. Open ages. (DW–Sara Lawrence-Sucato, Dominique Patton and NPB–Melaina McConnell, lead instructors)

Schedule:

Dance Room 1 (Ages 8–13)

• 10:00am–11:00am Sensory Friendly (NPB)
• 11:15am–12:15pm Jazz Funk (DW)
• 1:00pm–2:00pm Theater Dance (NPB)

Dance Room 2 (Ages 14 & up)

• 10:00am–11:00am PID Modern (DW)
• 11:15am–12:15pm Ballet (NPB)
• 1:00pm–2:00pm Capoeira (DW)

Location 3 – MCAT Lobby (All participants)

• 2:30pm–3:30pm Dance Party (DW & NPB)

Cost:

Participants can sign up for single classes (including Dance Party) at $15 per class or pay $50 (Save $10) for a WCDIWD Class Pass for the entire day.

Select classes and register:

Register Here

Questions? Email [email protected]

A limited amount of partial scholarships are available on a first come first served basis.