Dancers and dogs team up to support Safe Humane

Posted January 17, 2017 10:00 pm

Submitted by Ellen Werksman

Brier Barbeau graces the cover of the 2017 calendar produced to benefit Safe Humane. Courtesy of Josh Feeney

Dancers from Barrington's very own concert ensemble Midwest Dance Collective, directed by Barrington native Ellen Werksman, were selected to be featured in the 2017 Safe Humane calendar, "Dancing With Court Case Dogs."

Safe Human's mission is to create safe and humane communities by inspiring positive relationships between animals and people. Their programs focus on education, advocacy and second chances. Safe Humane was founded by Cynthia Bathurst.

The project was spearheaded by Midwest Dance Collective resident choreographer, and longtime veteran of dance, Debra Nanni.

"This opportunity allowed me to blend two of my passions, my passion for animals and my passion for dance," said Nanni. "Safe Humane is an organization close to my heart, for which I am a volunteer court case advocate for. I was excited to collaborate with the talented photographer Josh Feeney, the rescue foster/dog parents and all the talented dancers on this project."

The calendar features several Chicago dance companies and was created over a period of eight months. Parker Playhouse in Barrington donated their space for the photos. Midwest Dance Collective company dancers were featured on the cover of the calendar as well as the month of December - in their "Nutcracker" performance costumes.

"The company works closely with several charitable organizations which allows us to bring an important message to our community and teach our participants, that dance can be utilized to a greater good," said Ellen Werksman director of Midwest Dance Collective and owner of The Dancewerks Studio in Barrington.

Midwest Dance Collective is a semiprofessional dance ensemble that provides an educational dance opportunity in Barrington for students who are focused on including dance in their life as they proceed through their college years. A highly specialized program that thrives on providing a forum for dancers to improve technique in a focused environment, and experience unique dance opportunities.

Photography for the project was provided by Josh Feeny, a volunteer photographer for Safe Humane.

The calendar is now available at the Safe Humane website www.safehumanechicago.org or you can contact Ellen Werksman at ellen@dancewerks.com.

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Dancers, pictured from left, back row: Bella Stock, Maureen Kozlowski; Julia Shein and Samia Aboshadi; front row: Kathleen Higgins and Ella Kepler pose with a Safe Humane dog for the organization's 2017 calendar. Courtesy of Josh Feeney

A behind the scenes shot of photographer Josh Feeny with one of the dogs photographed for the 2017 Safe Humane calendar. Courtesy of Josh Feeney

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