Spring is here! Thank goodness … April not only brings warmer temps, but it also brings amazing dance events, performances, and the Virginia Arts Festival.

(Art | Virginia Arts Festival website)

This is the VAF’s 15^th season. Established in 1997, “The mission of the Virginia Arts Festival is to bring world-class performing arts to our citizens and visitors, impact the lives of students through outstanding educational programs, commission new works of national and international significance, and make a tangible difference in Hampton Roads through regional partnerships and positive economic impact through the generation of cultural tourism.”

This year, like those before, has an incredible lineup of performances.

The Festival begins with the World Premiere of Rappahanock County, a musical theatre piece co-commissioned by the Virginia Arts Festival, on April 12^th at the Harrison Opera House. The Festival schedule continues into June, and is filled with music, dance, and more.

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EVENTS AND PERFORMANCES

(Photo | TRDance)

The TRDance 5^th Anniversary Season continues with the second weekend of the Studio Concert Series. The performances are Friday, April 1^st through Sunday, April 3^rd at the Benjack Studio Theatre; Friday and Saturday at 8pm, Sunday at 5pm.

On Saturday, April 2^nd, the Elbert Watson Dance Company will be performing Moving Art at the Chrysler Museum in the “Contrast: Interactive Work by Daniel Rozin” exhibition. The show is at 2pm; I can’t wait to see it!

Also on April 2^nd, is the Benne Hafla, held in Chesapeake. This variety show has vaudeville, comedy, and belly dancing. The performance runs from 7-9pm, and is an 18 and up show.

Sunday, April 3^rd, Hampton Roads Square Dance clubs are holding a benefit dance for “Square Dancers 4 Japan.” The benefit will take place at the Point of View Elementary School in Virginia Beach, from 2-4:30pm. Experienced square dancers are welcome to participate; the cost to participate or attend is whatever donation you would like to make.

The Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble starts off the Virginia Arts Festival Dance Series with their performance on Thursday, April 21^st. This second company (to the Dance Theatre of Harlem, which disbanded in 2004, but has plans to reestablish in 2012) will be performing at the Wilder Center at Norfolk State University at 7:30pm. I am very (very) much looking forward to this performance.

(Photo | Dance Theatre of Harlem Ensemble website)

The 2^nd Day of Dance for Autism, on Saturday, April 23^rd, will be held from 11am to 3pm at the Kempsville Playhouse (at the Kempsville Rec Center) in Virginia Beach. Hosted by Kalaa Belly Dance, this benefit brings dance soloists and dance troupes from around Hampton Roads together to raise funds for the Autism Society of Tidewater Virginia.

TRDance company members and Governor’s School for the Arts dance students will be participating in the Virginia Arts Festival event, the Virginia International Tattoo. The show will be at the Scope Arena April 29^th -May  1^st; 7:30pm Friday and Saturday, and 2:30pm Sunday.

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CLASS SCHEDULES

The Spring Session of the Adaptive Dance Class at the TRDance Center begins Saturday, April 15^th. The Adaptive Dance Class is for children with Down syndrome; the session is seven weeks, and classes are held on Saturdays at 8am. The class (which is based on the work of Boston Ballet) is a partnership between TRDance, the Down Syndrome Association of Hampton Roads, and CHKD. Students in this session will also be participating in the TRDance School show on June 18^th.

TRDance School

Elbert Watson

Mambo Room Full Schedule

Mambo Room Boot Camps/Open Houses

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“To dance with the feet is one thing; to dance with the heart is another.”

- Author Unknown

Happy April! DYBO!

Dance news? Dance event info? Please email jaime@altdaily.com.