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Danceworks, Inc.
Voting ends this Thursday, Nov. 30th! Danceworks Performance MKE (@dpmke ) was nominated for Best Dance Company in Milwaukee! Visit the link in our bio to vote for our beloved dance company today!Rules:✨One vote per person per category for each round ✨You must vote in at least 5 categories✨Voters must provide a valid email address✨You are not permitted to fill out or submit ballots on behalf of another individualLink in #bio to #vote! Thank you for participating!📸: @c.w.mke.photography ... See MoreSee Less
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Danceworks, Inc.
Today on Giving Tuesday, we are filled with gratitude for our incredible Danceworks community of students, teachers, volunteers, staff and donors. We are honored to have served you for over 3 decades and look forward to keeping you dancing throughout your life. We are halfway to our goal! You can still give today and help us reach our goal of $6,000! #donate at the link in our #bio. Thank you for your generosity and support! ... See MoreSee Less
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Danceworks, Inc.
For most, today is known as Giving Tuesday. For us, it’s grati-Tuesday! We are grateful for YOU and other local nonprofits who are working hard everyday to make a difference in Milwaukee and beyond.We hope you'll support the orgs below - even a like or follow goes a long way!Giving First Participating Organizations:America's Black Holocaust Museum, ArtWorks for Milwaukee, Beckum Stapleton Little League Baseball, Benedict Center, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Metro Milwaukee, Center Street Nail Technology Academy, LLC , Community Smiles Dental, Danceworks, Inc., Dominican Center, Eras Senior Network, Inc. First Stage, Food, Faith and Farming Network, Friedens Community Ministries, Friends of Hank Aaron State Trail, Girls on the Run of Southeastern Wisconsin, Nathan and Esther Pelz Holocaust Education Resource Center, Historic Milwaukee, Inc., Kathy's House, Kinship Community Food Center, Lakeshore Natural Resource Partnership, Meta House, Inc., Metropolitan Milwaukee Fair Housing Council, Milwaukee Diaper Mission, Milwaukee Water Commons, Near West Side Partners, Inc., Nearby Nature Milwaukee, Project Kindred, Reflo - Sustainable Water Solutions, Riveredge Nature Center, Running Rebels Community Organization, Mightycause, Sojourner Family Peace Center, Southside Organizing Center, Teens Grow Greens, Florentine Opera Company, Walker's Point Youth & Family Center, We Got This Milwaukee, Wild Space, Wisconsin Parkinson Association ... See MoreSee Less
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Danceworks Blog

Come In and Lift Your Spirits

Posted on by Deborah Wenzler Farris

Showbiz

As I walked into the studio to assist a new teacher with a class, I noticed one of the students huddled beside the door—in tears with her mother. I decided to give them a few moments of privacy and went on in. The other students were busy removing coats and piling book bags haphazardly on the observation chairs, tossing their shoes underneath and chatting away as they changed into their ballet slippers. I set my own things down across the room beside the sound system, reached for the attendance book and worked my way back to the door.

 

I smiled at the mom and student, commending her good work in class so far this session. The daughter’s eyes glanced my way but she didn’t turn her head.

 

“We just got a divorce,” the mother said. “She doesn’t want to go with her father after class today.”

 

“Ah…..I understand…..I’ve been there too……” The young girl turned her face towards me then. “Do you want to be my assistant today? You can observe class. You learn a lot by watching others dance…..Want to help me take attendance?” She turned back to her mother for assurance.

 

“I’ll be here when you’re finished,” the mother responded, and then with a hug, I was relieved when her daughter entered the studio with me. Without yet realizing it, she was slipping into a place of safety and routine that would separate her, if just for an hour, from her troubles. She joined the flurry of last minute arrivals and I noticed her putting on her slippers as I called attendance.

 

When I closed the book, I leaned over and whispered, “Want to just give barre a try? I’ll do it with you.”

 

She shrugged, stretched a little and I was surprised when she stood up. Suddenly feeling like I had to catch up with her, and although she was still wearing her outer clothes, we went to the barre together. Miss Cari began class. The music of the introduction to plies filled the studio with its gentle 6/8 tempo. We listened and then bent our knees and ankles and hips first towards the floor, then away, methodically following the instructions we were given. This is when life’s problems begin to leave your mind—moving to the music, finding a structure to fit into when you feel you can’t fit into life.

 

“Can I go take off my warmup pants so I can do the splits?” She asked me when we finished barre.

 

“Yes, yes, of course, then take your place in the center. Okay?” She was already on her way.

 

Afterwards, her mother was at the door. When I told her, “She danced!” I was reminded in the best way, why we do what we do at Danceworks.

 

As I watched the child walk out the door, she suddenly stopped and turned back, her face now relaxed. I got to say the great words, “See you next week!” Then she was gone and I was left holding the picture of her smile.



About Our Blog

Welcome to the Danceworks blog, where we're hoping to share a little bit more about the heart and soul behind Danceworks… what made us join the dance and keeps us dancing, what keeps us inspired, and where we can share some of the stories worth telling.