Dancers

When the Studio One cloggers take the stage for their annual recital tonight, they will be sharing the spotlight for the first time in the studio’s 12-year history. Rather than dancing to pre-recorded music, as is typical of most recitals, the Studio One dancers will be accompanied by a live band. Local act Kimberly Carter and Carryin’ On will be on stage for every song, fitting for a show called “Live!” There will be two performances, tonight and Saturday at 7 each night. “It’s definitely going to have a lot of the art of surprise,” Carter said.

Students at Dancer's Pointe, Winchester's newest dance studio, will have a chance to show off for friends and family members this weekend when the studio presents its first spring recital. The show, which will take place Friday at 7 p.m. at the George Rogers Clark High School auditorium, is titled "Night at the Museum" and features dancers from all classes portraying museum exhibits. "Basically, we have a narrator, and when the audience comes in, we want them to feel as though they're on a tour of our museum," said Danielle Bridgewater, Dancer's Pointe owner and artistic director.

Lincoln County Middle School dancers Brittany Dowell, Kelsie Smith, Hannah Grimes, McKenzie Miracle and Cayla Cross are polishing up their dance moves. The five LCMS dancers will have to be at the peak of performance this Saturday, Jan. 27, as they put their talents to the test against some of the state's top dancers in the 8th Annual Middle School State Cheer and Dance Classic at Tates Creek High School in Lexington. The event, which begins at 10 a.m. and is open to the public, is coordinated by Team Spirit of Lexington and sponsored by Team Spirit and other local merchants.

As she tore the newspaper -that day's Lexington Herald-Leader - into strips, more than 100 eighth-graders watched in anticipation. What other trick did this magician from China have in store? She had already turned paper into money, which she jokingly pretended she was going to give away. No such luck for the middle-schoolers, who had jumped up grabbing for the bills. She took the strips in her hands, pushed them together, and ...... wallaa! The newspaper was whole again. "No way!"

Alyson and Caitlyn Vincent and Brack Duncan, all of Studio One School of Dance, took top honors at the Showdown of Champions in South Carolina. Alyson and Caitlyn Vincent placed first in contemporary, traditional, show and short duo/duet in their age category, 15-18. They also placed overall in each of the previous categories, which consequently led them to be the overall duo/duet winners of the competition. Caitlyn Vincent took first place in the challenge solo division, while Alyson Vincent placed second.

Hazel's Old School of Dance in Harrodsburg was invited to provide the munchkins for the performance of "Wizard of Oz" at 8 p.m. Thursday at the Norton Center for the Arts at Centre College. The touring company recruits 12 dancers to be a part of the show that is based on the Royal Shakespeare Co.'s celebration of the 1939 MGM movie. The production is filled with special effects that sweep you away from the moment the tornado twists its way into Kansas. The 12 munchkins are intricate elements of the production by not only performing as the munchkins but also as the Winkies, better known as the flying monkeys, in other scenes.

Before the Dancer's Pointe ballerinas take the stage with their production of "The Nutcracker," girls of all ages will have the chance to interact with the dancers at a special Nutcracker Brunch. "It's an opportunity for children and the community to come out and spend time with their favorite characters," said Danielle Bridgewater, Dancer's Pointe owner/operator. Brunch is $15 and begins at 10:30 a.m. at the Winchester Opera House. The menu includes waffles, scones and muffins.

This afternoon, the Danville Dance Alliance, a coalition of local dancers and instructors, is ready to take Danville by storm. The group formed this past fall thanks to the hard work of Amra Boanerges, a professional dancer who canvassed town, recruiting dance studios, teachers, and dancers who might be interested in joining the Alliance. Boanerges explains, “I did a very similar thing in Hawaii and decided to come back to Danville and see if I could get everyone here working together.

Studio One School of Dance competed at the Dance Matrix competition in Gatlinburg, Tenn., in May. This was the first time that the studio competed in a dance team competition, as opposed to just the clogging competition. Studio One competed in four varying categories: Hip-Hop, Lyrical and both Small and Large Open Group.  In the Large Open Group category, the team competed with "Thriller," and took first place in the category. Dancers in this category were Faith Hughes, Emily Rice, Taylor McCord, Lyric Campbell, Abigail Dotson, Sophie Duncan, Lacee Duncan, Lauren Thomas, Abby Easterling, Kayla Godby, Janna Godby, Reagan Rainey, Hunter Thomas, Alex Schwab, Caroline Browning, Mary Claire Mahanes, Brack Duncan, Alyson Vincent, Caitlyn Vincent, Lauren Columbia and Jordan Henry.

This afternoon, the Danville Dance Alliance, a coalition of local dancers and instructors, is ready to take Danville by storm. The group formed this past fall thanks to the hard work of Amra Boanerges, a professional dancer who canvassed town, recruiting dance studios, teachers, and dancers who might be interested in joining the Alliance. Boanerges explains, “I did a very similar thing in Hawaii and decided to come back to Danville and see if I could get everyone here working together.

How many people ever actually grow up to have the career of their childhood dreams? Louisville native Wendy Whelan knew from the time she was a girl that she would become a ballerina. This drive and focus led her to move to New York City for training at the age of 15, and today she is one of the most-celebrated principal dancers with the New York City Ballet. Kentucky Muse “Wendy Whelan: Moments of Grace” explores the dancer's childhood and family in Louisville, her career and life in New York, and how her Kentucky roots are with her every step of the way. The program premieres at 10/9 p.m. Friday on KET and 8/7 p.m. Wednesday on KET2.

LEXINGTON - Archie Goodwin wasn't surprised when fans camped out to receive tickets to Big Blue Madness last month. The Kentucky freshman guard received a glimpse of the hype surrounding the program three years ago when he received a picture displaying what has become known as “tent city,” but added “just to see it is another thing.” “It's crazy,” Goodwin said. “That's something that a lot of other schools aren't doing. The atmosphere has been what I expected.

Dancer's Pointe owner/operator Danielle Bridgewater expects to see plenty of celebrities at her studio's annual spring recital this weekend. From Ryan Seacrest toLady Gaga, the theme, “Lights! Camera! Action!”, means dancers will have the opportunity to portray celebrities from TV, music and the movies. “A lot of celebrities will be there, young and old,” Bridgewater said. “We have several different movies that we're doing dances to. At the end, the stars will be leaving, and some will be interviewed live.” Dancers will begin the show on a red carpet, and audience members will pass the Hollywood Walk of Fame as they enter the auditorium.

The Winchester Music Club, which is affiliated with the national and Kentucky Federation of Music Clubs, met on May 8 at Central Baptist Church gymnasium. Bill Cooper, president, welcomed guests. Eldon Fox, program sponsor, announced National Music Week, May 6 to 13, with the theme “Music ... Sounds that Inspire,” and encouraged everyone to enjoy their music, especially this week. Fox also introduced Jaclyn Farris and dancers from Dancer's Pointe, who presented the program celebrating National Music Week.

Six women from¿Danville and Waynesburg will be shimmying their shoulders, hips and bellies on World Belly Dance Day to help raise money for women struggling with substance abuse and poverty. A group of 14 dancers from the Danville and Lexington area, guided by Versailles Middle Eastern dancer and instructor Safiya Nawaar, will participate in the Shimmy Mob at Joseph-Beth Booksellers at Lexington Green Mall at noon May 12. Proceeds from the event will benefit Chrysalis House in Lexington.

The art of dance is meant to be shared. Danielle Bridgewater, owner/operator of Dancer's Pointe studio, said she shares that philosophy with her students, encouraging them to perform at local events and teach others to appreciate dance. Today marks the beginning of auditions for the Winchester Dance Ensemble, an elite dance troupe Bridgewater created with the intention of getting students more involved in the community and making dance accessible to more people. “The purpose of the ensemble is to serve the community through the art of dance,” Bridgewater said.

The artists of Dancer's Pointe will be dancing and bringing to life the characters of the Christmas classic, “The Nutcracker,” for the fourth year Saturday and Sunday.  Danielle Bridgewater, owner and director of Dancer's Pointe, said “The Nutcracker” provides people a way to get into the Christmas spirit, and it reaches out to all different audiences. “We will always do 'The Nutcracker.' I¿think people like 'The Nutcracker' for different reasons, whether it be they know someone performing or it's just something they want to do because it's the holidays and it gets you in the spirit,” she said.

The Winchester Christian School of Ballet will present its first production Saturday, a dance interpretation of the birth of Christ, “The Advent.” “It goes all the way to Herod, when he wants the wise men to tell him where the baby is born. There's a baby Jesus, a boy Jesus and a man Jesus, so we have three different people that play that part,” school owner and operator Hannah Krejci said. About 40 students will perform in the free show Saturday at 2 p.m. at Shearer Elementary.

Owning her own dance studio is a real dream come true for Danielle Bridgewater, a fact she celebrates in the Dancer’s Pointe spring recital. The studio will host its third recital today and Saturday at 7 p.m. at George Rogers Clark High School, with the theme “In Your Dreams.” Ninety-two dancers of all ages will perform ballet, jazz, tap and modern pieces in conjunction with the theme, showcasing what they have learned throughout the year....