SANTA BARBARA DANCE INSTITUTE PRESENTS IN AOK’s SECOND ANNUAL PERFORMING ARTS SHOWCASE

SANTA BARBARA DANCE INSTITUTE PRESENTS IN AOK’s SECOND ANNUAL PERFORMING ARTS SHOWCASE

Santa Barbara Dance Institute (SBDI) is proud to partner with Santa Barbara Unified School Districts Afterschool Opportunities for Kids (AOK) to provide educational dance programs to SBUSD’s Elementary Schools. On May 25, 2022, at 6pm, 115 young energetic performers from Cleveland, Franklin, Adelante, Monroe, Adams, Harding, McKinley, elementary schools, and Santa Barbara Community Academy will perform in AOK’s Performing Arts Showcase on May 25, 2022, at 6pm. Under the SBDI and AOK partnership, these students will come together as one large ensemble for the first time since the shutdown of schools and performing arts events due to the pandemic. Showcasing their hard work since February, these students will take you on their dance journey as most of them set foot on the stage of La Cumbre Junior High’s Theater for the first time. Join us to celebrate ‘being back together’ with very excited children dancing to a variety of music by Elvis, Pitbull, Shakira, Roberto Jr. y su Bandeño, and much more.

About the partnership:
The SBDI- AOK Partnership program serves the after-school community by allowing students to participate in an after-school program consisting of both academic and enrichment activities. SBDI programs help foster tenacity, a standard of excellence, and a belief in oneself that will carry over into all aspects of life. During weekly classes since February, the students and SBDI teaching artists have been exploring the process by which movement put to music becomes dance, building confidence and skills through hard work, and creating a cohesive ensemble. At AOK the programs are educational, hands-on, interactive, and fun and include a daily healthy snack and are designed to meet the particular academic and social needs of our school populations.

About SBDI: Working with schools and community centers with little to no art programming since 2005, SBDI’s programs immerse students in music and dance, fostering pride in personal achievement, a love of the arts, and a curiosity about the world. We bring high quality integrated academic, and social-emotional learning practices that target and counter social isolation. Through direct programming and SBDI’s professional development programs for teachers, the organization has reached 25,000+ children, 80+ teachers, and 30,000+ audience members. SBDI strategies are based on the belief that dance should be a part of every child’s education and not just for those who can afford it. “Working closely with schools and community centers, we believe that a healthy community requires public engagement that supports and embraces our community’s racial, cultural, and socio-economic complexity” Rosalina Macisco, Executive Director, SBDI.

SBDI would like to thank foundational support from SB Bowl Foundation, Kirby Jones Foundation, Maus Family Charity Fund, the Towbes Fund for the Performing Arts, California Arts Council, Santa Barbara County Office of Arts & Culture, City of Santa Barbara, County of Santa Barbara as well as our many individual supporters of our programs.

The Basics
Contact: Rosalina Macisco, rosalina@sbdi.org, 805-245-0794
Performance: AOK Performing Arts Showcase in partnership with SBDI
Performers: 115 elementary public-school children, grades 1-5 from eight Santa Barbara Unified School District
Event Time: Wednesday, May 25th, 2022, at 6pm (La Cumbre Junior High School Theater).
Location: La Cumbre Junior High School Theater, 2255 Modoc Rd, Santa Barbara, CA 93101
Tickets: Open to the community free of charge, donations accepted
Additional Info: Rosalina Macisco, rosalina@sbdi.org or Kathy Serrano, kserrano@sbunified.org