Hello DWK families,

We hope you are settling into your fall and winter schedules. Most dance classes have now had 2 weeks of classes and it feels good to be back at it – to see the familiar faces and to greet the new families. Please review the following news and studio information to make sure you are up to date.

Mini-Session Classes Start This Week – Adults Can Dance Too!

Parent & Tot and Adult classes at DanceWorks Kenora start this week! These classes are always a lot of fun. Never taken a dance class before? Don’t be afraid to try – classes are welcoming to all levels with variations given, if needed, to accommodate different skill levels. Already have a dancer in the family? Don’t forget your multi-class discount applies on a family basis.

Adult classes offered include:

• Adult Ballet & Modern (Wednesday 8:30-9:30pm)
• Adult Hip Hop (Friday 6:45-7:45pm)
• Gentle Ballet (Wednesday 2:00-3:00pm)
• Gentle Jazz & Tap (Tuesday 10:00-11:00am)
• Essentrics & Pilates (Wednesday 6:00-7:00pm)

Minimum numbers are required for classes to run.

Late Registrations Accepted

We accept late registrations in classes that have openings. Know a friend or family member that would like to join? Send them to our website – danceworkskenora.com – to review class information and register online or have them reach out to Erin at info@danceworkskenora.com

Dance Attire

Don’t forget to review the DanceWorks Kenora Dress Code to ensure you have the proper attire for each class. If you don’t have the correct dance attire for the start of the year please wear clothing that allows for a full range of motion and thin socks. All dancers should bring a water bottle to class and long hair must be tied back. You can look for used gear in the DWK – Buy & Sell for Dance Gear group on Facebook.

Hip Hop dancers, please remember that there are no outside shoes allowed in the studio. Please be mindful that other classes dance in bare feet or thin slippers and we need to keep the studio floor clean and safe for all dancers.

Tuition Fees & Payments

Tuition fees for classes are posted to your account and can be viewed through your portal at any time. Monthly credit card payments will be processed on the 5th of each month or you can also pay monthly by providing post-dated cheques to the studio. Cash, cheque, credit card, or e-transfer can be used for lump sum payments. If you have applied through Triple Play or other funding sources please make sure that Erin is aware.

DWK Ensemble Fundraising

The DanceWorks Kenora Performance Ensemble is now using FlipGive to raise funds towards travel and competition costs. If you want to help support the competitive dancers you can become a member of our FlipGive team. The team earns cash back when you shop online or buy gift cards for partner retailers. A little bit of cash back on all your regular purchases can really add up! Join our team at flipgive.com/f/1061989 or by searching for DanceWorks Kenora Performance Ensemble at flipgive.com

Upcoming Dance Conventions

There are two upcoming dance conventions – one in Steinbach and one in Winnipeg – that are great opportunities for dancers to challenge themselves, to work in different styles, and to learn from different teachers. DWK Performance Ensemble dancers will be attending and any other DWK dancers are invited to attend as well. Follow the links for more information on the classes and pricing.

Maximum Impact Dance Convention – Steinbach, MB

• Sunday, October 20 in Steinbach, MB
  
• Ages 8+ can register for the full day or for individual classes.
• Registration is done by the individual through Dance Manitoba at dancemb.org/maximum-impact-dance-convention.html

Triple Threat Dance Convention – Winnipeg, MB

• Saturday, November 2nd and Sunday, November 3rd
  
• Ages 7+ can register for one or for both days. Registration is done through the studio, contact Erin by October 1st if your dancer is interested in attending.
  
• View more information at triplethreatdance.com/
  

Contact & Information

If you have questions please contact Erin at info@danceworkskenora.com or by texting or calling 807-464-3666. Please note that emails or text messages are Ms. Erin’s preferred methods of contact as they are easier to respond to quickly in between classes or after classes in the evening.

The answers to most questions can be found either on our website, in the portal or on one of our social media pages. Stay up to date and informed at the following links:

• Website – danceworkskenora.com
• Portal Access – DWK Portal Login
• Facebook – DanceWorks Kenora
• Instagram – @danceworkskenora
• Facebook Group – DWK Buy & Sell
• Facebook Group – DWK Dance Families

We know some of you have been waiting…the 2019-2020 class schedule is now posted! Returning dancers can also see their class placement recommendations within your family’s portal account.

Registration opens for returning students on August 3 and opens to the public on August 10, 2019. Early bird discounts of an additional 5% off all class tuition runs until August 15th (and multi-class discounts of 10% to 30% off always apply).

Helpful Links:

• DWK Portal Login
• 2019-2020 Class Schedule
• Class Descriptions & Levels

Enjoy the rest of your summer and we can’t wait to see you back at the studio in September!

(PS. I know many of you are still patiently waiting for your photos from last year. Colleen is back to work and has been working on all of the orders. As soon as we have a firm date on their availability for pickup we will let you know. Thank you again for your patience and understanding of the situation.)

The DanceWorks Kenora 2019 Year-End Recital is on Saturday, May 11 at the 7 Generations Event Centre. Join us at 1:30pm or 6:30pm for a showcase of the dancers’ hard work and effort over the dance year. Our show includes over 30 dance performances from all ages and levels in the styles of ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary, and hip hop.

Buy Your Recital Tickets Online

Recital tickets are $15 for adults and $12 for youth (12 and under) and seniors (over 65) and can be purchased online in advance or with cash at the door. Tickets are general admission.
Online ticket sales start at 12 noon on Friday, April 26 and end at 12 noon on Friday, May 10.

It is highly recommended that you purchase tickets online in advance. There are no guarantees of tickets still being available at the door. Purchasing online also lets you take advantage of multi-ticket discounts of $2 off every ticket when purchasing more than 3 tickets.

2019 Recital DVD

The recital will be professionally videotaped and digital downloads ($25) or DVD’s ($30) will be available to purchase. Place your order by sending an email to info@danceworkskenora.com. Accounts must be up to date in order to receive a DVD. If your account is overdue please contact Erin in order to arrange a payment plan.

Volunteers Still Needed!

We still have a number of open volunteer positions that need to be filled in order to ensure these events run smoothly! Please consider volunteering your time. (If you are a parent volunteer you can watch your dancer perform from backstage.)

Hi DWK dance families,

Our 2019 Year-End Recital is fast approaching! Below is the link the detailed information packet for dancers and their families.

Please read through the detailed information carefully. It should provide the answers to any of your recital related questions. If you still have questions after reviewing you can reach Erin at info@danceworkskenora.com or by calling or texting 807-464-3666.

Tickets
Online ticket sales will begin Friday, April 26th at 12 noon at danceworkskenora.com.  It is highly recommended that you purchase tickets online in advance. There is no guarantee of tickets still being available at the door. Buying online also lets you take advantage of multi-ticket discounts of $2 off each ticket when purchasing 3 or more tickets.

Photos & DVDs
Photography and video are not allowed. Photography and lights from electronics can be very distracting to the dancers and often block the view of your fellow audience members.

The recital will be professionally filmed and a copy can be purchased by sending an email to info@danceworkskenora.com

• Digital Download – $25 (including HST)
• DVD – $30 (including HST)

Volunteers are needed to make these events run smoothly. Please consider volunteering your time in one of the front of house or backstage positions. View the available positions and shifts and sign up to volunteer!

Is this your first dance recital as a performer? Your first time attending a dance recital? Danced before but want a refresher on best practices backstage? Are you unsure on expectations of an arts/theatre audience?

Take a moment to review our etiquette guidelines to help our Year-End Recital run smoothly for everyone.

Audience

Here are a few etiquette guidelines to help you and your fellow audience members enjoy the show fully.

Everyone Needs a Ticket – Parents, toddlers, grandparents, friends. Everyone attending the recital needs to purchase a ticket and seats are limited. While children are welcome to attend they must remain seated during the performances. If you feel that your child may not be able to remain focused for the performances it is recommended that you make other arrangements.

General/Rush Seating – Please try not to leave single seats between you and the next set of audience members as all seats may be needed for a sold out event. It is okay to save a few seats but if you have a large group attending please wait until most of your group has arrived before finding seats or be prepared to sit separately.

Silence or Turn Off Your Devices – Please turn off cell phones, tablets, and any other electronic devices prior to the performance starting. You should never speak, text, or play games on your electronic devices during a performance. You should also not check your device during a performance since the backlight is incredibly bright and distracting to other audience members and also visible to the dancers on stage.

No Entrances/Exits – Our recital is designed to flow quickly between performance pieces. Please do not enter or exit unless it is an emergency. If you have a fussy child please exit as quietly as possible in order to minimize the disruption to your fellow audience members. Intermission is your opportunity to chat, use the washroom, grab water or a snack.

No Video or Pictures – Photography and videography are not allowed during the recital performances. This will be enforced. Your movements trying to get the best angle as well as the light from the device are distracting to both nearby audience members and the dancers. Recital DVDs can be purchased by contacting the studio. Photos with family, friends, and fellow dancers can be taken after the show during the reception.

Curtain Call – The performance is over at the conclusion of curtain call (when every dancer comes onstage to take their final bow). Audience members should stay for the entire performance and should not leave early during the curtain call. Please stay in your seat until the performance is over and the house lights are raised. Then, exit with the rest of the audience. This policy is in place to show respect and appreciation to all of our performers.

No Backstage Access – No one is allowed backstage except for dancers, volunteers, and instructors. One parent can go backstage to drop-off and pickup their dancer. Additional family members should wait in the main theatre area. For safety reasons, dancers will be permitted to leave at any other time throughout the Recital (unless arrangements had been made prior to the show). Please rest assured that we have a number of volunteers backstage to help your dancer throughout the entire process.

Flowers for Your Dancer – If this is your first dance recital you might be surprised to find many of the other parents or family members have small bouquets or single roses/flowers ready to present to their dancer at the end of the show. This is a tradition for theatre and arts performances and while it isn’t necessary it is a nice gesture to recognize the dancer’s effort over the course of the entire dance year and the achievement of having performed in front of a large audience.

Enjoy the Show! – This one is the most important, sit back, relax and enjoy the performances. The dancers have worked hard on these performances and they love hearing the audience’s enthusiasm and applause.

Performers

DanceAdvantage has a great post on “Backstage Bliss: 11 Guidelines for Students in a Dance Recital“. This infographic covers the basics of the article but it’s a great idea to click the link and read the full article for more details and explanations of each guideline.

• Please remember to arrive with your hair and makeup already done and also remove any nail polish or jewelry before arriving (for both dress rehearsal and recital)
• Costumes must be worn at both dress rehearsal and the show. They should not be worn to and from the theatre and must be returned immediately after recital. Please be sure to have another outfit for your dancer to wear home.
• Dancers can bring snacks to dress rehearsal but please recognize they may be in costume or near to costumes and do not pack snacks that will stain or easily make a mess.
• Also, don’t forget to label your shoes or any other personal belongings.

Hi DWK families,

It’s hard to believe but we are just one month away from the end of the dance year! This is a busy time for the studio and there is a lot going on. Please continue to read all emails and remember that you can always check for the latest news on the website as well at danceworkskenora.com/news

Festival of the Arts – Dance Performances

• Happening this Saturday, April 13! 10:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Seven Generations Event Centre.
  Note: There are no regular classes at the studio this Saturday due to the Festival performances.
• All Dance Foundations, Primary, Junior, Senior, and Ensemble classes participate in the adjudicated dance performances at part of the Kenora District Festival of the Arts.
  • Details on what to expect and the schedule (including call times and session times) were previously sent out to all participating classes. Misplaced the Festival information? Find it online: 2019 Festival of the Arts Information
• The public is welcome to attend Festival. There is a $4 entry fee at the door. Come out and support the dancers from Kenora and Dryden as they perform and receive their adjudicator feedback.

Musical Theatre Workshops

• Brenda Gorlick (our dance adjudicator at Festival) is leading musical theatre workshops at DanceWorks Kenora on Sunday, April 14th. There are still some spots remaining, don’t miss out on this great opportunity! Cost is $25. View more information and register online at danceworkskenora.com/workshops/
  • Primary/Junior Workshop (ages 7-13) – 10:00 am to 11:30 am
    (7 spots left!)
  • Senior/Adult Workshop (ages 13 – adult) – 1:30 pm to 3:00 pm
    (only 3 spots remaining!)

Recital is Coming!

• We cannot make these events happen without the help of volunteers. There are a number of positions that still need to be filled for dress rehearsal and both shows. Please consider volunteering your time! You can view the volunteer positions and time requirements and sign up to volunteer at danceworkskenora.volunteerlocal.com/volunteer/
• Full details for dancers and information on ticket sales and DVD sales will be sent out after the Festival performances this weekend.

Fees Due

• Do you have a balance on your account? A reminder that April 5th was the final monthly installment. Any remaining balances are now overdue. Please make payment arrangements with Erin as soon as possible for any outstanding amounts.

Spring Classes & Summer Camps

• Don’t want dance to end? Know someone that is interested in dance but couldn’t commit to the full year session? DanceWorks Kenora offers a 5 week spring session as well as a number of summer camps. Read more and register online atdanceworkskenora.com/summer-2019-classes-camps/

Dance Pictures

• Ms. Erin and Colleen are reviewing all of the dance pictures and working on getting the selected images onto the online selection site. All dance families will be sent an email (next week) with information on how to view the images and how to place your order.

Volunteers are an important part of our year-end performances. They help things run smoothly for the dancers and for the audience. Please consider volunteering your time and being a part of the team that makes these dance events possible.

Volunteer positions are available for the following events:

• Kenora Festival of the Arts – Saturday, April 13
• Dress Rehearsal – Friday, May 10
• Year-End Recital – Saturday, May 11

The positions and shifts are posted to the DanceWorks Kenora online volunteer scheduling page. Follow the link to review the available positions. Once you make your selections and provide your contact information confirm your volunteer shifts by clicking “Sign up to Volunteer” at the bottom of the page.