Hello ladies and gents,

My summer adult programing begins June 30th and ends Aug. 20th.  Registration is through the Rec. Society at 247-8538 but you can certainly call me if you have any questions.  As always Pilates drop-in’s are $12 and Ballet are $15.  Enrolling for a session is a great way to save $ and motivate you to get out of the hammock for a couple of hours.

Pilates: Tuesday 6:30 to 7:30 and Thursday 5-6 (8 class session Tuesday or Thursday at $10 a class…$80)

Ballet: Thursday 6-7:30 (8 class session at $12 a class…$96)

Summertime and the livin’ is easy.  Or is it?   With school out you may be looking for positive, entertaining and affordable childcare that will also challenge and encourage your children.  Good news, my camps go throughout July and August and include ballet and creative dance, taught by myself, as well as gymnastics, taught by certified gym coach Mia Goodall, and African dance, taught by Ester.

The july camp is for childern ages 7-12 and goes from 10:15-3:30 every Thursday beginning July 2nd at the Community Hall.   It is 5 ¼  hours for 5 weeks at $6 an hour. This works out to $157.50 per child for the month.The August camp is for ages 4-8 and ends a half hour earlier.  It is 4 ¾  hours for 3 weeks at $6 an hour.  This is $85 per child for the month

Registration is through the Rec Society at 247-8538.

 Here’s the way the day looks…

10:15-12  Ballet (half hour less for the August session)

12-12:30 Lunch (not provided) 

12:30-2:15 Gymnastics2:15-2:30 snack (not provided)

2:30-3:30 African Dance

Plan to pack lots of food and water because the day will be very active.  Also, don’t forget the sun screen and hat.  Kids should wear comfortable and light clothing. 

Sadie Gambill (shown), Karis, Rachael, Alexis, Cedar and Jaqueline did a great job at the Rotts Community Arts show.  Congratulations girls!

Photo by Derek Kilborne courtesy of The Sounder

 
 The kids have spun and kicked their way all to the spring recitals and they need an audience  complete the experience.  Miss Mara’s dancers will be presenting their classes for public viewing and also performing choreographed dances in full costume on June 13th at The Community Hall.  The kinderdance class will be on from 12:45-1:45 and the creative dance class for ages 8-12 will be from 2:15-3:15. There is no charge to come out and support these young artists.
 
Also, are you organizing a public event where there kids could strutt their stuff?  I’m lloking for oppurtunities where there kids can dance…community pot-lucks, festivals, etc… The pieces all together are less than 10 minutes.  Any ideas out there?
 
Finally, Summer dance camps for kids are in the works.  I will be doing an all day Thursday camp (every Thursday starting July 2nd) with Mia Goodall (gymnastics) and Esther (African dance Guru).  It should be a great time!  Look for more info soon through the rec. society or phone 8538.

The following is a performance schedule for my creative dance class.  They will be performing my own choreography to “When The Tide Goes Out”.  It is a personal and poignant song written by Jim Edmondson and performed by him as part of the Vancouver group Three Strong Winds.  It is a beautiful piece that connects to the Community art show’s theme “roots”.  We are very excited to be involved with ARTWORKS’ annual community art show this year.
 
Thursday April 23rd. PERFORMANCE    ARTWORKS 8PM
 
Saturday April 25th PERFORMANCE  ARTWORKS 3PM
 
Saturday May 2nd PERFORMANCE   THE COMMONS. 11:30

Saturday Ballet classes: (Begin March 21^st and end June 13^th. No classes March 28,  or May 30th.) 11 classes total. Children’s recital on June 13th from 12-2:30. 

9:15-9:45- Parent and tot. Classes begin March 21st $77 ($7/class)

10-11;30- Adult ballet $132 (12.00/class) 10% off if it’s their 2^nd class.

11:30-12:30-Pre-scholl ballet $85 ($8.50/class)

12:45-2- Kinderballet $93.50 ($9/class)

2:15-3:30- Creative dance ages 7-11 $93.50 ($9/class) *April 25th class will be  a performance at Artworks for the “Roots” show. 

Saturday Pilates classes:(Begin March 21^st and end June 6^th.  Classes on 21st and April 4th at The Agi Hall. No classes March 28 and May 30^th) 9 classes total  The 21^st  AND THE 4^TH AT AGI HALL.

4-5 Level 1 pilates $95 ($10.50/class)

5-6 Level 2 pilates-This class is appropriate for pilates students who have had 6 or more previous pilates classes. $95 ($10.50/class)

Monday Ballet classes:(Begin March 30^th and end June 8^th No class Victoria day-May18th) 10 classes total. 

4:30-5:45 Teen Dance.  This Modern ballet class will apply classical ballet barre technique to contemporary music for centre choreography. $100 ($10/class) 

5:45-7:15-Adult Ballet $115 ($11.50/class) 10% off if it’s their 2^nd class. 

Thursday Ballet classes:(Begin March 26^th and end Jun11th-no cancellations) 12 classes total 

1:30-2:45-Kinderballet $108 ($9/class) 

3:15-4-Boys Ballet for ages 5-9.  In this class we will gallop like cowboys and leap like superheroes. We will focus on the boys unique talents-strength and jumps. (All the other classes are open to boys too!) $96 ($8/class) 

4-4:45- Dance technique. This class is for dedicated students ages 7-12 years old. It is open to all serious dance students who are looking for a second weekly class.  Students who study with other teachers are certainly welcome. $108.00 ($9/class) 

Thursday Pilates classes:(Begin April 2^nd and end June 4^th. No cancellations) 10 classes total 

5-6-Level 1 $105 ($10.50/class)

6-7-Level 2 $105 ($10.50/class)

There are no classes on Sat March 28^{th and} May 30^th, or Monday May 18^th.  Recital June 13^th- There will be no regular children’s classes this day. Adult ballet and pilates classes will go ahead at their usual times.All children who wish to participate in our spring recital will be needed at the Community Hall at 12:00pm. Please have them wear their usual ballet clothes and have their hair tied neatly off their faces.  Their rented costumes will be there waiting for them and the cost is $15. The show will begin at 1:30. Parents, friends and family are invited to come to watch and videotape the performance. Dancers who do not wish to participate are encouraged to watch. Volunteer parents are needed to help set-up, organize children, design a poster or stack chairs at the end.  Please let Miss Mara know if you can help.

Dance is for everyone: Meet Mara Brenner
Take in the Arts - A weekly feature of Gabriola Artists
By Chloë Straw
Tuesday, January 6 2009.                                                                                                       

Meet Mara Brenner. Having recently arrived from Bowen Island, she’s here to provide a service many have been requesting for years on Gabriola. A classically trained ballet and pilates instructor with more than twenty years experience, Mara brings her own philosophy to the practice of dance.

“I don’t believe in the examination form of ballet,” she says. “For me, dance is art, it’s not about being tested.”

With classes varying from parent and tot, to Kinderdance and a special “Teen Ballates” that combines core strength training pilates and classic ballet technique, Mara wants to make sure everyone feels welcome to come out and dance. She promises to create ballet and pilates programs for children, teens, adults, and seniors at a price that ensures they are accessible to anyone who’s interested. As an introduction to herself and her classes, Mara is hosting a day of free dance classes on Saturday, January 10th at Agi Hall.

As she mentions on her website www.maragoldtheatre.com, Mara’s classes are designed to provide an enriched dance experience, a safe environment, and a place for dancers of all ages to develop an appreciation for one’s self and the arts. To find out more information about classes being offered check out her website or pop-in to the Agi Hall on the 10th and bring your dancing shoes!