National Dance Week began in 1981 as a grassroots movement to promote the benefits of dance in local communities and schools and to increase professional development within the dance community. This year, April 23 through May 3, was set aside by the National Dance Week Foundation to heighten the awareness of dance and its contributions to culture. A focus this year was to celebrate dance and promote fun fitness. On April 28, the Lee Anne Stewart dancers kicked off National Dance Week in Fort Wayne at Variety Competition. The Fusion dance team and Fly dance crew performed and brought home 16 platinum awards, five high gold awards, and judges awards for choreography, technique and costuming. Eleven of the pieces that competed won overall high point awards. “Revolting Children” and “Mama I’m a Big Girl Now,” which will be performed in the June recitals, both received first-place awards in their categories. Throughout the week, students at the Syracuse, Nappanee and Warsaw studios celebrated by wearing favorite past costumes on Monday. Tuesday was deemed tutus and team gear day. On Wednesday, the dancers donned glitz and glitter. The dance studios closed out the week with crazy hair on Thursday. The students and teachers enjoyed the special days and had fun while promoting dance in their community, according to a press release from the dance studio. On Friday evening, the Fusion dancers took to the streets during the First Friday celebration in downtown Warsaw. The National Dance Week Foundation choreographed a dance mob to MC Hammer’s “Can’t Touch This.” The Fusion dancers learned the choreography and broke out into a high-energy flash mob, the release states. The dancers closed out the week by taking masters classes with choreographer Grant Chenok. Chenok holds a performing arts degree from Oklahoma City University and is a co-founder of Flow 40 Dance Workshops. He also has multiple television, commercial and music video credits. Students took contemporary and hip-hop classes from Chenok. The dancers continue to work on their pieces for the recitals, which take place at the Warsaw Community High School Performing Arts Center, June 6, 7, 12, 13 and 14. For ticket information, contact the dance school at 877-658-9875 or visit the website at stewartdanceschool.com
