Students at Libertyville school treated to classical Indian dance during lunch break

Students at Butterfield Elementary School were treated to a classical Indian dance performance during their lunch break Friday in Libertyville.

The school's Arts As We Lunch is funded by the Butterfield Family Association. Each year, the children are treated to an artist performance every day during the week before spring break.

"It's my favorite week," Principal Candice Kehoe said. "Not only does it lead into spring break, but the kids go away taking away something from every performance."

On Friday, Shandha Nair of Chicago, who is from the Natya Dance Theater Group in Chicago, danced a classical Indian dance called Bharatanatyam.

Children mimicked hand gestures as Nair danced in an open area inside the lunch tables and high-fived the kids as their lunch period ended.

"It brings a new awareness to all the different types of arts that are out there. It exposes them to things they may never have seen before. It's a great week," Kehoe said.

The weeklong lunchtime performances included: Ensemble Espanol performing classical, folkloric and flamenco styles of dancing; Belle Music's Musician Italiana performance featuring a violin and guitar duo; Midwest Buddhist Temple Taiko Group drumming program; and Michael Pry delivering 25 years of bag pipe performing experience.