Children can dip toe into dance at new event
A Butler studio owner wants children who have never been exposed to professional dance classes to give it a try at Move it Butler!
The event will be held from noon to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, at SheLor School of Dance, 534 Fairground Hill Road, Butler.
Lori Portman Lewis, who has owned the dance studio for more than 40 years, said current students have been invited to bring a friend to the event who have never experienced dance, but children and youth from the community also are welcome as well.
She said everyone who attends will receive 30 minutes instruction in each of the four types of dance being taught at Move it Butler!, which are ballet, jazz, hip-hop and acro.
“I just decided it might be a nice way to reach out to the community and try to get kids interested in dance who didn’t have that opportunity,” Lewis said.
She said those who attend should bring socks. Dance shoes will not be necessary for the event, as new dancers will learn steps in either socks or bare feet.
“That’s why we didn’t offer tap,” Lewis said.
Potential dancers can wear athletic or loose-fitting clothing to participate comfortably.
She said parents must sign a waiver, and children will be grouped according to age.
Four SheLor dance instructors will lead the classes, Lewis said.
Fun activities that incorporate coordination or dance steps will be available as well, including a parachute game and activities using dance props.
“I would like parents and kids to know that you can gain a lot of self-confidence, coordination and happiness in experiencing dance at the beginner level,” Lewis said. “It doesn’t have to go into the competitive or career level.”
She said dance is an excellent pastime for kids who are not sports-oriented.
“It gives them exercise and physical achievement,” Lewis said, “but I think that self-confidence is the biggest thing. It makes them think ‘I can really do it!’”
She said the movements involved in dance are adaptable to everyday living, and can improve posture, agility, coordination and strength.
“Dance is also good for the mind,” Lewis said. “Memorization is a big part of dance.”
Evie Fox, a SheLor dance instructor, is excited for the Move it Butler! event, as she also feels dance can be great for body and soul.
“I like dance because it’s fun and teaches valuable life lessons,” she said. “Dance comes with teamwork, creativity, discipline, perseverance, passion and so much more.”
Fox will teach alongside her fellow instructors Lucy Lewis, Kelly Szwed and Sara McLafferty.
She said SheLor accepts students as young as 3 years old, and she hopes those students bring friends to Move it Butler! as well.
“I love watching the little dancers’ excitement, creativity and confidence as they learn dance steps,” Fox said.
Fox and Lewis hope lots of children and young people attend Move it Butler! on Friday.
“My hopes are just letting kids experience dance who wouldn’t otherwise have that opportunity, whether they would enroll in our studio or not,” Lewis said. “I just want to reach out to our community.”
Registration for Move it Butler! is available at 724-287-9933, on the studio’s website, shelorschoolofdance.com, or by emailing Lewis at lori@shelorschoolofdance.com.
