“Open Dance” – Building a strong dance community in Dorchester County

Open dance is a new and unexplored idea, whose purpose is to provide a safe space for people to perform, learn, and teach. This new weekly program premieres in the George B. Todd Performance Hall at the Dorchester Center for the Arts on January 11, 6:00-9:00 p.m. While the program will be held each Thursday, there is no commitment to attend every week.

Founder Binny Olson developed this concept out of her love for dance and her deep gratitude for the emotional and physical healing it provides individuals and communities.

The idea of open dance also stems from her love for “open mic”: Open mic provides a safe space where everyday people can perform music among groups who support musicians and their growing and developing perspectives. Open dance is the same, but with dance!

Open dance is designed to be an informal, nonprofessional dance program that encourages people of diverse backgrounds and socio-economic status, ages 17+, to experience dance on several levels:

1. View – To become inspired by watching everyday people perform dance.
2. Learn – To learn basic dance steps in a “line dance” format, taught by everyday people and occasional guest professionals. No partner necessary though some “partner” dances will be taught.
3. Movement – Dance floor opens for dance party

The evening will be divided into those three parts: The first hour is performance. Dancers who wish to perform bring their own music for a 2–5-minute act, as individuals or groups. The second hour is where a line dance is taught. The last part is the dance party. This will be developed as the program moves forward, but this is the starting layout.