PITTSFIELD — Are you ready to shake your groove thing?
The Wandering Dance Society, a program of Mill Town Foundation, wants to help you feel the rhythm and find the beat with a series of free dance workshops and classes offered during its second annual Wandering Dance Festival.
The weeklong Wandering Dance Festival, running Nov. 17-23, invites individuals of all ages, backgrounds and abilities to participate in free classes and workshops led by esteemed local choreographers, showcasing a diverse array of dance styles, including contemporary, hip-hop, swing and salsa.
Experience is not required — participants only need to come equipped with a desire to learn. The overall aim of the festival is to strengthen community bonds and inspire connections among neighbors and newcomers.
“This weeklong celebration highlights the exceptional dance artists living and creating in the Berkshires, Andy Wrba, program director at Mill Town Foundation, said in a news release. “Wandering Dance Festival will provide the community with opportunities to participate in classes and explore various forms of dance in safe and welcoming spaces.
“Our goal is simple – to foster community connections, share meaningful experiences, and celebrate dance together. We are proud to collaborate with Jacob’s Pillow, Berkshire Pulse and the talented dance artists to make this week possible.”
Olivia Martin, coordinator of Wandering Dance Society, added, “Wandering Dance Festival is a chance to immerse our community in the incredibly diverse dance experience we have in the Berkshires.
“This week is welcoming to everyone and anyone who wants to learn, connect, and grow together. Dance is a universal language and during this week we are all going to be speaking the same language.”
The festival concludes 7 p.m. Nov. 23 with a ticketed showcase performance at The Colonial Theatre. Tickets are $11 to $104, and can be purchased online at berkshiretheatregroup.org/event/wandering-dance-festival.
IF YOU GO
2ND ANNUAL WANDERING DANCE FESTIVAL
What: Weeklong dance festival, produced and presented by Mill Town Foundation, celebrating movement, community and culture.
Where: Various locations throughout downtown Pittsfield
When: Nov. 17-23
Tickets: Most activities are free. Financial assistance is available upon request. For more information, email info@milltownfoundation.org.
Information: milltownfoundation.org/wandering-dance-society
FREE COMMUNITY WORKSHOPS AND CLASSES
- 1:30 to 3 p.m. Nov. 17: Tap For All with Stephanie Lynx Weber, Berkshire Music School
- 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Nov. 17: Zumba with Krystle Blake, Berkshire Yoga Dance & Fitness
- 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 18 : Vogue & Vibe: Youth Drag Class & Dance with Poppy Dabubbly and Katie Harding, Wander
- 4:30 to 6 p.m. Nov. 19: Step Class with Youth Alive, Berkshire Athenaeum
- 5:30 to 9 p.m. Nov. 20: Rhumba & Swing: Lesson and Open Dance with Rushelle Bowie, Rare 297, Hotel on North
- 6 to 9 p.m. Nov. 22: Samba with Luana Dias David, Methuselah
- 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Nov. 22: Traditional West African Dance with Noel Staples-Freeman at Wander
- 8 to 10:30 p.m. Nov. 22: Dance Party! with DJ Bengey, Hot Plate Brewing Co.
WANDERING DANCE FESTIVAL SHOWCASE PERFORMANCE
Where: Colonial Theatre, 111 South St., Pittsfield
When: 7 p.m. Nov. 23
Who: Berkshire Brazil, Berkshire Pulse Young Choreographers, CK Dance, Creative Soul, dysFUNKcrew, Inclined Dance Project, Leighann Kowalsky, The Funk Box Dance Studio, Uprising Dance Theater, Youth Alive
Tickets: $11-$104
Reservations: berkshiretheatregroup.org/event/wandering-dance-festival
