Jacob's Pillow Hosts LET'S DANCE Community Event 7/4

Jacob's Pillow Dance, America's longest-running international dance festival, celebrates the 4th of July with Let's Dance!, a new community event where patrons of all ages are invited to participate in a variety of free activities, performances, and dance classes.

A new event for the Pillow, Let's Dance! is specifically geared toward teenagers and adults, with a variety of "no experience necessary" dance classes and workshops offered.

"We are always finding new ways to engage our community," says Ella Baff, Jacob's Pillow Executive Director. "We are dedicated to expanding access to the art of dance, particularly among young adults. Teens and adults often have trouble finding beginner classes they feel comfortable taking- we hope many people will attend this event and experience something new."

Let's Dance! will feature free workshops for teens and adults of all experience levels including Pilates with instructor Karen Lee, swing dance with Heather Gehring and Lou Brock of Ballroom Dancing for Tough Guys, yoga with Leslie Nelson, the popular dance-exercise class ZUMBA®, and more. For younger participants and their families, Jeff Bliss of the Wolftrap Institute for Early Learning Through the Arts will lead a movement workshop called "Families Dance Together."

Festival 2010 artist Camille A. Brown will teach a free Master Class for intermediate-advanced dancers (pre-registration is required for participation; observation is open to the public) in her own dynamic movement style. To pre-register, contact Jacob's Pillow at 413-243-9919 x5 by June 27.

Activities also include free performances on the Inside/Out Stage by Ballroom Dancing for Tough Guys and the Boston Tap Company, a group directed by Sean C. Fielder dedicated to educating and entertaining through the arts; a free raffle with over $800 worth of items from local restaurants, businesses, and the Pillow Store; free tours of the historic grounds every half hour; and picnicking and mingling on the Great Lawn. The Pillow's historic Archives will be open to the public throughout the day and feature exhibits including a series of photographs of Bill T. Jones by the late dancer/photographer Arnie Zane, an exhibition of original drawings and watercolors by the Pulitzer-Prize winning artist Jules Feiffer, and exhibits by iconic dance photographers Lois Greenfield and John Van Lund.

Let's Dance! promises a 4th of July full of fun and dancing in scenic Berkshire County. For more information on classes and activities, visit http://jacobspillow.org/festival/2010/07/lets-dance/ or call 413.243.9919.

When: July 4, 10am-1pm.

Cost: All activities and classes are free. Food and drink will be available for purchase.

Location: Jacob's Pillow, 358 George Carter Road, Becket, MA. Parking is free.

About: Jacob's Pillow Dance, a National Historic Landmark, is home to a world-renowned dance Festival, presenting and commissioning works from dance artists and companies from around the world. The School at Jacob's Pillow encompasses a professional training program and the Pillow's extensive Archives chronicle over 75 years of the art form of dance in print, video, and more. For more information, visit www.jacobspillow.org.

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