Boogie Woogie Wednesdays Held At the Staten Island Children Museum, Begins 7/7

Children can circumnavigate the globe this summer as part of the Staten Island Children's Museum Boogie Woogie Wednesdays dance programs. This world tour kicks off on July 7th, when the series begins in Colombia with the lively Latin beat of Zumba. Thanks to support from Con Edison, youngsters will be able to criss-cross the globe for free through dance moves from different traditions every week. Among others, children will be introduced to Aztec dancing by the Calpulli Mexican Dance Company and Belly Dancing by Anna Popoyan. As well as a being an artful way to teach children about other cultures, dancing is a great way to exercise their bodies and imaginations.

Dancing isn't all that goes on at the museum on Wednesdays in July and August. Beginning at 5 p.m., admission is free to allow time to visit some of the museum's most popular indoor or outdoor exhibits. At 6 p.m., families can build up their strength with a free snack (until supplies run out) or bring a picnic dinner to share. At 7 p.m., the boogying begins - on the museum's outdoor Plaza in good weather or inside, in case of rain. At every program, the style of dance is demonstrated by experienced performers and then the children join the pros on the dance floor for an impromptu recital. The Children's Museum is just minutes from the Staten Island Ferry on the S40 bus, so it's a great opportunity for working parents to meet up with their families to share some family fun time.

The schedule is:
July 7 - Zumba - with Angel Langer
Zumba is style of intense dance/aerobics with pulsating Latin music that originated Colombia.
July 14 - Mexican Dance - with Calpulli Mexican Dance Company
The troupe will perform traditional & contemporary dance rich in Mexico's heritage.
July 21 - Belly Dancing - with Anna Pipoyan
Practice a mixture of modern & ancient, traditional & contemporary belly dancing moves.
July 28 - Irish Step Dancing - with Dawn Daniels and music by Patrick Rafferty
Learn about reels & jigs, the music, the costumes and the history of Irish Dance.
August 4 - Salsa - with Lorenz Latin Dance Studio
Get the hang of the rhythm and become comfortable with the technique.
August 11 - African American Step Dancing - with Aaron Hurd
Produce complex rhythms and sounds through a mixture of footsteps, spoken word, and hand claps.
August 18 - Jive - with Dance Central New York
Dive into Jive with lots of kicks and swings.
August 25 - Samba - with Dance Central New York
Learn this popular form of Brazilian festival music.

Summer Hours: June 28 to September 5 - Tuesday through Sunday 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.
And Wednesdays until 8 p.m (July 7 to August 25). Closed on Mondays.