Friday, September 24, 2010

Dance benefit to assist Haitian people

The Times-Standard
Posted: 09/23/2010 01:11:55 AM PDT


EUREKA -- The Studio of Dance Arts is hosting a fundraising event, “Dance So They Can Walk,” to benefit the thousands of Haitians who lost limbs in the January earthquake.

On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., the studio -- located at the corner of Fifth and A streets -- will host this day of dance and exercise. Studio teachers will offer introductory half-hour classes in ballet, tango, jazz, tap and Irish step dancing. All donations will be given to Prosthetika, a nonprofit organization supporting prosthetic services in foreign countries.

The studio suggests a donation of $10 per class, but all contributions will be appreciated.

The studio also offers classes in other genres of dance and exercise, including preschool creative dance, hip hop, Middle Eastern and ballet exercise (welcoming the agility-challenged). Though the teachers for those classes are not available for this event, new students who take one of these classes this month may request that $5 of the fee be donated to Prosthetika. Visit www.studioofdancearts.com for the fall schedule of classes.

Local doctors Asa Stockton and Nathan Shishido are combining efforts with Prosthetika to create a prosthetics production laboratory next to the Adventist Hospital in Port-au-Prince, Haiti.

”This is our attempt to produce some infrastructure so they can care for themselves,” Stockton said, noting that an amputee needs lifelong assistance to maintain mobility. “Children grow, and adults' bodies and activities change over the years, requiring consistent monitoring and adjustments.”

California's Loma Linda University and North Carolina's Park Ridge Hospital, together with the Adventist Hospital, have pledged to help staff the new laboratory with volunteers to build prosthetics and train others to provide the needed services.

Stockton is grateful to the people of Humboldt County who have already donated generously, “beyond expectations.” A final push for financial support will ensure the project's long-term success.

”To raise money for Prosthetika by dancing seems so right,” said Jane Morgan, owner and artistic director of the Studio of Dance Arts. “And this event gives our teachers the opportunity to share their enthusiasm for dance with others looking for an extra incentive to try a new form of exercise in a fun, supportive atmosphere. Of course, anyone who wants to drop by just to make a donation will also be welcomed.”

The schedule for “Dance So They Can Walk” classes is:

* 11 a.m. -- Tango

* 11:30 a.m. -- Irish (ages 6 to 11)

* Noon -- Irish (ages 12 to adult)

* 12:30 p.m. -- Jazz (12 to adult)

* 1 p.m. -- Tap (12 to adult)

* 1:30 p.m. -- Tap (6 to 11 )

* 2 p.m. -- Ballet (12 to adult)

* 2:30 p.m. -- Ballet (6 to 11)

For more information, call 442-1939.
.
Source
.

No comments: