Dance New Amsterdam Presents 2nd Annual FREE Class Day 10/9

Dance New Amsterdam (DNA), Lower Manhattan's largest dance center and one of NYC's most vibrant cultural hubs, will offer an entire day of FREE dance and wellness classes in a range of levels, from beginner to professional, on October 9, 2010. Over 1,000 dance lovers from all over New York City are expected to attend and participate in a celebration of dance education, wellness and artistic expression.

"DNA is invested in the Lower Manhattan community and committed to offering an expansive array of affordable cultural opportunities to those interested in dance, arts education, wellness, choreography and performance," said Catherine Peila, Executive Director. "This annual event is just one way we can serve and thank the community for their support and involvement at DNA."

The day will include ten hours of full-length classes (schedule available online) in DNA's six sunlit studios. Sixteen styles including: Modern, Contemporary, Ballet, Jazz, Simonson Technique, Hip Hop, Tap, Flamenco, Theatre Dance, Afro-Zulu, Pilates, Yoga, Thai Massage, Gyrokinesis®, Anatomy Awareness and Klein Technique will be taught by 33 of DNA's first-rate faculty who are donating their time for the special event.. DNA's Wellness Room will host FREE massages and acupuncture sessions. A raffle will take place providing a variety of gifts including: tickets to a Broadway show, handcrafted jewelry, private dance classes and wellness sessions, among other prizes.

Following the classes, DNA will toast to the day of dance with a champagne reception, courtesy of The Bubble Lounge, and will feature a one-time-only FREE performance featuring works by DNA faculty members: Anabella Lenzu, Darcy Naganuma, Gina Kohler, Ori Flomin, Sasha Soreff. The special performance will also feature guest artist Raja Kelly, recipient of the 2009 Jim Garvey Scholarship. During the intermission of the performance DNA will announce the 2010 Jim Garvey Scholarship winner.

Further event details include:
What: 2nd Annual 'FREE Class Day!'
When: Saturday, October 9, 2010
Doors Open 9:00 am
FREE Classes * 10:00 am - 7:30 pm
FREE Champagne Reception 7:00 pm
FREE Performance ** 8:00 pm
Where: Dance New Amsterdam - 280 Broadway (entrance at 53 Chambers Street next to Modell's). Near all major trains (A,C to Chambers; E to World Trade Center; 1,2,3 to Chambers; 4,5,6 to City Hall; R to City Hall; and J,Z to Chambers Street

* Class registration begins one hour before class start-time and ends when class is full. Each visitor may only register for one class at a time.
** Performance reservations are highly recommended and are on a first come, first served basis and can be made in advance by contacting Stephanie Miracle at smiracle@dnadance.org. Space limited to 2 reservations per person.

Dance New Amsterdam thanks the following organizations and individuals who donated items and/or services for our raffle: Battery Dance Company, BUtterfield 8, Children's Museum of the Arts, Claire Posada, Cookie Harlin, The Flea, Jerry's Café, Kate Peila, Martha Chapman, Nadia Maria Caramichaels, Nancy Zendora, Soho Rep, and Susan Matthews. DNA would also like to thank The Bubble Lounge for their donation of champagne for the champagne toast.

Special thanks to the Pacific College of Oriental Medicine and to its alumni for volunteering their services in the Wellness Room.

DNA would like to express its thanks to the faculty members for generously donating their time to make this event possible:
Gail Accardi, Jennifer Archibald, Laya Barak, Alexandra Beller, Rebecca Burton, Brian Carey Chung, Martha Chapman, Allison DeVane, Laurie De Vito, Jamie Dowd, Ori Flomin, Jessica Harrington, Chris Heller, Donald Garverick, Isabel Gotzkowsky, Raja Kelly, Katiti King, Gina Kohler, Anabella Lenzu, Nia Love, Athena Malloy, Diane McCarthy,, Darcy Naganuma, Jorge Navarro, TaraMarie Perri, Kendra Portier, Benny Simon, Sasha Soreff, Max Stone, Al Turner II, Jayson Vasquez, Matthew Wagner, and Hee Ra Yoo.

About Dance New Amsterdam
Founded in 1984, Dance New Amsterdam (DNA) celebrates 26 years of cultural leadership in contemporary dance. DNA supports the life, career, and longevity of dance artists through ongoing high quality contemporary dance education, opportunities for choreographic exploration and innovative performance, and service to the field and the Lower Manhattan community. DNA fosters the development of new and experimental works through commissions, residencies and subsidized space. A forerunner in the field of dance education, DNA continues its commitment to honor the complete dancer. Championing principles of injury prevention and conscious body awareness, DNA celebrates the individual dancer in a non-judgmental, safe and supportive environment. We are committed to training healthy dancers, developing new audiences and bridging diverse communities by exploring the role of dance across a spectrum of contemporary dance styles and cultures.