community outreach

Judy D is a Newfoundlander who fell in love with salsa six years ago. She then created the Salsa in St. John’s facebook group in 2008 as part of her ongoing quest to encourage the growth and stability of the salsa dance community in St. John’s, NL. Since there's no public venue dedicated to regularly providing space for salsa dancers (outside of lessons), the fb group allows the growing network of salsa members a central place to find, create, and share information about upcoming salsa events. The group is informal and volunteer run, and has grown to over 350 members. If you have any questions about Salsa in St. John’s, about events, or if you would like to help out in any way, please come join our group on facebook and write on our wall:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/SalsainSt.Johns/

If you're not on facebook, check out our new Salsa in St. John's blog page: http://salsainstjohns.com/

Judy has also been eagerly awaiting a Lindy Hop scene in St. John's...and it's finally here!!! A new MUN Swing Club was just started this fall by new MUN student, Chantelle. Swing by her website: http://www.swinginstjohns.com/ OR her fb group for the latest news:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/224978010883244/

In her "other" life, Judy is a Mental Health Nurse and a breast cancer survivor. Dance has brought so much joy, health benefits and friendship into her life, she hopes that by promoting dance opportunities more people will be able to share in the benefits too. With this in mind, Judy has begun working on a brand new "after work" project...and here it is:

"Dance for Strength NL" was been entered into the online Aviva Community Funding Competition, but unfortunately it didn't win. To see the idea go to
http://www.avivacommunityfund.org/ideas/acf12912
Even though it didn't win, hopefully a seed was planted!

live love laugh...and dance!
Judy D

p.s. NEW in Feb 2012 - Sunday Salsa Socials 6pm-10pm @ Mexicali Rosa's on George St!!!

Neighbourhood Dance Works (NDW) is committed to the development of a vibrant professional dance community and the advancement of emerging and mature dance artists. We exist to promote growth within the Newfoundland and Labrador dance community. We strive to bring local and international artists together, in order to foster the exchange and creation of new dance experiences.

Within the National dance climate we have emerged as a sought after destination for Canadian dance artists. Our festival as well as our residencies and main stage shows are consistently gaining national and international interest. This puts us in a position where we can better provide opportunities for the advancement of our local artists while at the same time playing a more active role as a member of the National dance ecology, generating opportunity for collaboration, creation, development and promotion of new work.

Over the years, Neighbourhood Dance Works has made dramatic gains in the scope of its activities. Our program includes a number of performance platforms as well as outreach projects, co-productions and artist residencies. Our current year’s activities include:

The Annual Festival of New Dance (FND);
First Look Studio Series, (emerging artist and work in progress showcase);
Fund-raising and outreach events;
Production of new dance and interdisciplinary projects;
Artist residencies, professional development workshops and master classes;
Main Stage Performance Series;
a dance resource centre;
In-the-schools teaching and community engagements;
and the development of partnerships with community groups and arts organizations.