CORE Announces First-Ever "Dance Sampler" Fundraiser Feb. 13

CORE, the award-winning contemporary dance organization based in Atlanta and Houston (www.coredance.org), will hold its first-ever “Dance Sampler” fundraiser on Saturday, Feb. 13 from 6 p.m. – midnight at the CORE Studios in Decatur. The evening will include opportunities for people of all ages and dance experience levels to discover and try various types of dance forms ranging from tango to disco and more. Conceived and planned by CORE’s Board of Directors as an enjoyable way to engage supporters and new audiences, this event will raise funds for the organization, now celebrating its 30th season in Atlanta.

CORE’s Managing Director, Shannon M. Turner, says, “Our Dance Sampler is an interactive ‘tasting’ of dance genres that will give our guests the opportunity to boogie while the local, professional and amateur dance community showcases its talent and leadership. Ultimately, we’re excited to introduce our participants to CORE’s studios and mission through an evening that will include a little bit of everything dance: tango and salsa lessons, an 80s hour, partner dancing, line dancing, blues, Zumba and a drag show, as well as refreshments, a cash bar and prizes. We invite our guests to fall in love and celebrate our love of dance, and there will be plenty of chocolate for everyone to enjoy! We are so delighted to see our board’s vision and leadership around this event.”

The first 15 minutes of every hour will feature a mini-performance or instruction in each of CORE’s two studios, and then the guests are encouraged to join in the fun by dancing. CORE’s dance artists and members of CORE Performance Company, as well as many of the CORE Studios’ teachers, will offer instructions and will dance alongside participants. Children are welcome to join in during the early hours of the event and enjoy the kickoff Hokey Pokey and “Hula Hoop Half Hour”. The evening has been designed to accommodate singles, couples, families and many other groups.

Tango lessons and dancing will be led by Marissa and Horacio Arcidiacono, Zumba by Marquetta Dupree, hip hop by Liz West and a drag show will be performed by Creative Loafing’s “Best of 2015” Brigitte Bidet. Prizes have been provided by Brickstore Pub, Worthmore Jewelers, Sq.Ft. and Raging Burrito, with more to come. Light refreshments are included in the ticket price, and nearby Food Trucks, including Marlay House, will offer additional food and beverages for purchase.

Tickets are $20 per adult, or $35 per couple, $15 for children 12 and under and students with ID. VIP tickets, which include a gift basket, are $100 per couple. They may be purchased at https://coredance.secure.force.com/ticket. CORE Studios are located at 139 Sycamore Street on the Decatur Square. They are also accessible through the parking lot behind Eddie’s Attic on N. McDonough St. A map and parking directions may be found at www.coredance.org/classes/.

CORE’s 30th season in Atlanta is supported by the Pattillo Foundation, The O Fund for New Work, Cameron and Roberts Insurance Agency, The Richard C. Munroe Foundation, Cornerstone Bank, Howard Bank, Decatur Atlanta Printing, Primary Care Chiropractic, Studio Lotus, Still Hot Yoga and many generous individuals from our community.

About CORE

Celebrating its 30th season in Atlanta beginning fall 2015, CORE, an award-winning contemporary dance organization, creates, performs and presents compelling and distinctive original dance works that ignite the creative spirit and foster cultural conversations. For over three decades, CORE has initiated and supported innovation, collaboration, artistic risk-taking and sustainable art-making in dance.

CORE was founded in 1980 in Houston, Texas by dancer and choreographer Sue Schroeder. Five years later, the organization added Atlanta, Ga. as a second home base, and now cultivates dance awareness and education in both cities, as well as throughout the country and around the world. CORE is organized around three initiatives: CORE Performs, CORE Presents and CORE Connects. CORE Performance Company, the professional contemporary dance company of CORE, is internationally recognized for the physical and emotional range of its Dance Artists, as well as its innovative and compelling work. CORE’s Decatur, Ga. studios host classes and events for teachers and dance students of all experience levels. www.coredance.org