They wanna dance for a worthy cause
With all of the dance-related reality shows on TV grabbing attention, the title for an event at State Street Dance Studio in Geneva to benefit the American Cancer Society does have a nice ring to it.
An opportunity for dancing and shopping will take place at "So You Wanna Dance?" at 5 p.m. Saturday at the studio, 9 N. Fourth St., to raise funds for the American Cancer Society and the NoMi LaMad Dance company that will be featured at the event.
Dancers in the Saturday evening fundraiser will learn and perform choreography from NoMi LaMad's upcoming concert, "Introducing NoMi LaMad." They will compete in three age categories -- 7 to 10, 11 to 14, and 15 to 18.
Winners in each division will be determined by a judges panel and audience ballots and earn prizes, but the winner of the 15 to 18 age division will earn a spot on stage with NoMi LaMad on April 18 and 19 at the Ruth Page Center for the Arts in Chicago.
The event helps Linda Cunningham, artistic director at State Street Dance Studio, be able to showcase NoMi LaMad, which has moved its operations into the Geneva studio.
"It is a very unique situation when a professional dance company is in residence or partial residence in the suburbs," said Cunningham. "So it is very cool and provides all sorts of opportunities for young dancers in this area to have a professional company in their own back yard."
NoMi LaMad is Chicago's newest dance company and it was an easy connection for State Street Dance Studio because NoMi LaMad's co-artistic director, Laura Kariotis, is on the faculty at the Geneva studio.
"Laura branched out on her own to create her own professional company," Cunningham said. "NoMi LaMad is here from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. every Monday and it is super inspiring for dancers here, coming in for their 4 p.m. classes, to see this amazing dancing going on."
Kariotis, who has been on the State Street faculty for six years, is renting a studio in Chicago to go along with NoMi LaMad's residence in Geneva since last summer.
"I think this event is a great opportunity for the young dancers here because it gives them a sense of what it is to be on a professional stage," Kariotis said. "It should be a really great night."
As for splitting her time between Chicago and Geneva, Kariotis has no complaints.
"I am very happy with the way it is going," Kariotis said. "It's convenient for me, because my classes at State Street are on Monday night and NoMi LaMad is during the day. So it makes for a long day, but it is very rewarding."
Cunningham also likes the fact that she and Kariotis are on the same page about giving back to the community.
"This is an incredible collaboration between State Street and NoMi LaMad," Cunningham added. "And outreach programs are very important to Laura, as they are to me, and that is why this event is benefiting the American Cancer Society."
Those in attendance will be able to shop as supporting merchants will provide items on display at the studio. Refreshments and wine will also be available.
To register for the competition or to get more information, call the studio at 630-232-0444. There is no need to register for the shopping. General admission fee is $15.