Danceworks and the Wisconsin Center District have announced a new partnership to bring Danceworks Mad Hot’s two yearly Competitions to the UWM Panther Arena starting in the 2018-19 school year.
The Wisconsin Center District (WCD) and Danceworks, Inc. have announced a new partnership to bring Danceworks Mad Hot’s bi-annual Competition to the UWM Panther Arena. The announcement follows a successful Mad Hot Ballroom Dance Competition on Saturday, May 19, the culmination of a 12-year partnership between Danceworks and the BMO Harris Bradley Center.
“Only at Danceworks could the next great strategic partnership present itself at a girls’ night out dance party arranged by board member Megan Suardini!” said Danceworks, Inc. President and CEO Deborah Wenzler Farris. “Sarah Maio, WCD Marketing Director, listened as I shared a little about Danceworks and that we weren’t sure where our Mad Hot Competitions would be moving to next year. She said, ‘I think I can help!’ She wasn’t kidding. After arranging a meeting with new WCD CEO Marty Brooks, they actually thanked us for the opportunity to be the new home of our two annual city-wide competitions.”
Wisconsin Center District CEO Marty Brooks accepts a gift of tap shoes from Danceworks President & CEO Deborah Wenzler Farris at the 2018 Mad Hot Ballroom Competition. Photo: Jeff Zmania
Marty Brooks, CEO of the Wisconsin Center District said, “As owners and operators of the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena, the Wisconsin Center District is thrilled to welcome the students and families of Danceworks Mad Hot Ballroom & Tap through our doors for years to come.”
Over the last 12 years, Danceworks Mad Hot has worked with fourth, fifth and sixth graders at Milwaukee area public and private schools, with 2017-18’s program year reaching students in nearly 100 classrooms. Participating students spend one hour, twice per week learning tap or ballroom dance—22 hours total throughout the fall or spring semester. The program’s primary goals are to improve students’ self-confidence, respect for self and others, and attitudes toward physical activity.
“With 12 years and more than 26,000 dancing school children behind us,” said Farris, “we are incredibly excited about what the next 12 will bring!”
UWM Panther Arena will begin hosting Danceworks Mad Hot Competitions twice yearly starting in the 2018-19 school year, with the Danceworks Mad Hot Tap Dance Competition in early 2019. Danceworks will release event information at a later date. For more information, keep checking the Danceworks, Inc. website at www.danceworksmke.org.
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