The objectives for all Danceworks community programs are:
1. TO BUILD RELATIONSHIPS IN THE CLASSROOM
2. TO IMPROVE FOCUS/ATTENTION AND SOCIAL AWARENESS
3. TO INCREASE INTEREST IN THE ARTS
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
Danceworks Mad Hot Rhythm runs January through April. Participating schools select one or more 5th or 6th grade classrooms to participate in Mad Hot Rhythm. Danceworks teaching artists provide two weekly one-hour dance classes for 15 weeks with 30 total hours of instruction in African Jazz, Funky Tap and Tango styles. Each year the program culminates with a city-wide competition for all participants, as well as culminating performances in the schools. The Competition is free and open to the public! Families incur no cost for this program.
MAD HOT RHYTHM COMPETITION
This incredible annual celebration shows off the hard work of participating students from Milwaukee area schools, as they compete in three dance styles: African Jazz, Funky Tap and Tango. The Competition is free and open to the public – join us!
Date TBD
UW-MILWAUKEE PANTHER ARENA
The Competition will also be livestreamed on Facebook!
sponsors
Danceworks Mad Hot Rhythm 2023-24 Programming was supported by:
- Bader Philanthropies
- UPAF
- Forest County Potawatomi Foundation
- CAMPAC
- Milwaukee Arts Board
- Wisconsin Arts Board
- We Energies Foundation
- Julia Uihlein
- Geri G. Olson
- Kristine Szatmary
- Carol and Jim Ross
- Alison Griffin
- Patricia Kiefer
- Anonymous Donors
- Martin Family Foundation
HISTORY
18 years ago we started Mad Hot in just 3 schools. The program quickly spread, and the 2023-24 program was in 48 classrooms in 38 schools! The program is thriving and we have a great bunch of dancers ready to show off their new skills. The mission and motivation of Mad Hot have always centered around the kids, and it remains the same after 18 years. Mad Hot Rhythm, formerly Mad Hot Ballroom and Tap, culminates in a Competition at the UW Panther Arena every spring.
CONTACT
Contact Jessica Fastabend, Community Education Director, at 414.277.8480, or via email.
HOW THE PROGRAM WORKS
Emoji Yogi is a program developed by Danceworks for K5 and 1st grade students. Participants will be guided through movement, breathing exercises, yoga and storytelling by one of our Teaching Artists. They will be engaged with themes such as kindness, happiness and gratitude with age appropriate practices. This program runs from October-May. Students receive 2 classes each month for a total of 16 sessions. New this year schools can choose 1 in-person class and 1 digital class each month, or two in-person classes.
CONTACT
Contact Jessica Fastabend, Community Education Director, at 414.277.8480 x6005 or via email.
how the program works
Danceworks Generations is an intergenerational, multi-arts residency that partners second and third grade students and seniors in memory care, nursing homes or other senior centered sites. Together they build community through dance, visual art, and other art disciplines.
The 2025-26 program will run from October 6-December 19. Youth and senior participants will receive 10 one-hour shared sessions of intergenerational movement and art making. This year’s theme is Story Artists. The multi-generational groups will write, illustrate and dance their own story with thoughtful prompts and guidance from Danceworks professional teaching Artists.
SPONSORS
- Bader Philanthropies
- Maihaugen Foundation
- UPAF Kasey’s Fund
- Froedtert Community Investment Fund
- Anonymous Donor
inspiration
Danceworks Teaching Artists begin the creative process by posing an open ended question to intergenerational participants. Some examples of questions could include, “If you had a superpower, what would it be and why’?”, “What do you treasure in your home – and why?” Students and seniors learn about one another through these thoughtful, open-ended questions that invite personal reflection and expression.
The intergenerational participants’ responses to questions inspire the collaborative creation of visual art and dance.
The theme for the 2023-24 program is “Up, Up and Away”. The participants will explore everything in our skies through a multi-arts approach. Danceworks’ Teaching Artists will use the participants’ ideas to guide each session. The intergenerational participants’ responses to prompts will inspire unique artistic collaborations. The sky is the limit!
CONTACT
Contact Jessica Fastabend, Community Education Director, at 414.277.8480, or via email.
how THE PROGRAM WORKS
Research has found that dance (social ballroom dance, ballet and more) have improved quality of life, cognitive function and MS Functional Composite Scores in persons with MS.
Over the last 10 years, Danceworks teaching artists have worked closely with Alex Ng, PhD (Professor in Exercise Science, Marquette University) to develop Dance for MS. The goal of these classes is recreational physical activity. Physical activity is known to be safe and important for health, wellness, and disease management of MS.
Dance for MS classes can take place anywhere. Classes are regularly scheduled at Danceworks‘ Water Street location and various locations in the Milwaukee Metro Area. If you want a Dance for MS classes in your area, reach out Danceworks’ Community Education Director Jessica Fastabend. These classes are for everyone and can be taken with or without a partner. Danceworks is committed to accessibility, and students needing accommodations for ambulatory aids or other kinds of assistance are encouraged to come.
UPCOMING CLASSES
Join us for an upcoming Social Dance Class on 8/14, 8/21 and 8/28 at Casa Collective 21415 W. Greenfield Ave. Contact Jessica Fastabend, Community Education Director, at 414.277.8480, or via email if you’d like to learn more about taking a Dance for MS class or attending one of our social events.
CONTACT
Contact Jessica Fastabend, Community Education Director, at 414.277.8480, or via email if you’d like to learn more about taking a Dance for MS class or attending one of our social events.
how residencies work
Danceworks residencies create an opportunity to integrate movement-based educational activities into your organization’s everyday routine. Our dynamic teaching artists present dance classes in a variety of styles that develop coordination, rhythm, balance, strength, flexibility and encourage self expression.
Classes can be designed for a specific grade level and can be tailored to your classroom’s goals.
Every year, Danceworks partners with over 75 organizations including schools, adult day care facilities, community centers, non-profits and businesses, to design custom arts residencies of varying lengths with diverse goals. Programming can connect to academic content areas, a theme, or be based on a specific style of dance.
residency highlights
- Yearlong movement classes at St. John’s on the Lake with seniors in memory care
- 2x weekly classes at St. Ann’s Center for Intergenerational Care Bucyrus
- School year partnership with Boys and Girls Club where 8 centers received classes in Tap, Hip Hop and Latin Dance styles
- Cardio classes at Regency Assisted Living Center
- Winter/Spring Collaboration with Milwaukee Jewish Day School for musical choreography
- Stormonth Elementary Latin Dance classes
- Danceworks Youth Performance Company performed at Betty Brynn
- Hip Hop Workshop for the Big Brothers and Big Sisters Organization group meeting
- Notre Dame Elementary afterschool program Latin Dance classes
- UCC Acosta Middle School Hip Hop workshops
- Hip Hop Workshop for Project Kindred
- Latin Dance at Canterbury Elementary in Greenfield
- Wilson Elementary School Girl Scout Dance Badge class
- Samson COA, indoor and outdoor creative movement classes
- Ebenezer childcare (Downtown and Oak Creek) creative movement and Jazz classes
- West Allis Rec Department Bollywood and Hip Hop classes
- Group ballroom classes for adults with MS at Marquette University, Wisconsin Metal Works
- Community Performances at Summerfest, No Studios Dancefest, UPAF Ride for the Arts
CONTACT
Contact Gabi Sustache-Turner, Studio Education Director, at 414.277.8480, or via email.
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