Rockland Dances Draws County-Wide Crowds

As makeup was being applied, costumes fitted and each hair tucked into place, the lobby filled up with patrons eager for the show.

Saturday, May 7 was the Seventh Annual presented by The Arts Council of Rockland at Rockland Community College.

"This event is to get together groups around Rockland and give them an opportunity to provide an entertaining and eclectic show," said Patrick Cacciola, program director for The Arts Council of Rockland.

"About eight years ago, the idea came: Can we put together an event that brings people together who would never have the chance otherwise? We put it to a vote and decided to go with it," said Mark Judelson, executive director for The Arts Council of Rockland.

There were seven different dance groups that participated in this year's show. The groups involved were:

• Anna de la Paz Spanish Dance
• Bokandeye African American Dance Theater Art and Culture
• Dance Central performing arts
• Motherland Rhythms and Dance
• Ramapo High School Dance Company
• The Dance Loft.

"We've been practicing for awhile. I'm really excited about the performance," said Dancer Ally Damante of The Dance Loft.

"This is the biggest place we've performed. We've definitely practiced a lot!" said Dancer Catherine Calliot of Ramapo High School Dance Company.

"I'm a little scared," added Rose-lyse Pierre of Ramapo High School Dance Company.

Although many of the dance groups were younger girls just starting out, a few of the groups had a wider range in age with all levels of study.

"Ages range from three and up in our group. The smallest aren't in this show," said Collette Fournier of Chiku Awali African Dance, who is also a communications teacher at the college. "I've been with the group for three years. I'm excited for tonight."

"This is our third or fourth time here for this show. It's one of my favorite performances of the year," said Benita Roxbury, also from Chiku Awali African Dance. "You can expect lots of excitement and energy. And drums."

With so many types of groups in one location, the audience was just as diverse. Many parents, grandparents, friends and teachers were in attendance. The seats filled up fast.

"My daughter Sabrina is in the Ramapo Dance Company. They practice after school. This is her first year. They just had a recent show and did great!" said Margaret Acosta of Pomona.

"I've been here for other events, but not this one. My daughter is in Dance Central in Pearl River. Tonight will be mostly the older kids. They are all very good," said Denise Bonder of Pearl River.

"I came to see different types of groups perform. Not any one in particular. Lots of different groups came together tonight," said Mary Dalton of Suffern.

The performance was planned out with the multiple groups alternating between dance numbers. Going back and forth from dances such as jazz and Latin and African, the audience continued to cheer and clap throughout the night.

"(Tonight's purpose was) to bring together community; to create community through art, in this case dance," said Judelson at the podium to his audience.

The Arts Council of Rockland was created in 1972 with this such purpose in Rockland County.

A calendar with all sorts of art-related events for the public is kept organized by the group. The Council is always looking for new members and/or donations, so check out their site.

Download the movie