They dance for fun, for the love of the art, and over the last 25 years, Jersey City’s Kennedy Dancers Inc. has instructed, rehearsed, played, sang, and danced their hearts out.
They have annually been included in the International Kids’ Café Festival in New York City and have performed at places such as New Victory Hall in Jersey City, the Newark Museum, and Appel Farms Music and Performing Arts Center in Elmer.
"I’m proud of those accomplishments," said Diane Dragone, the Kennedy Dancers’ artistic director.
From classes and programs to professional groups, the Kennedy Dancers are continuing their success as a non-profit organization, and in 2002, their anniversary season, they are busy working on numerous ongoing and upcoming projects.
Young stars
This summer, the school hosted a summer camp for young children that offered dance instructions in ballet, jazz and tap, vocal and flute lessons, gymnastics, and French, which Dragone described as "the language of music." There are 30 children enrolled in the program, ranging from ages 5 to 13.
"The program is pretty intensive for young kids," said Dragone, "but they seem to enjoy it a lot." Every day, the children are taught by a number of educated and talented teachers at the school, and then given recreation time to swim or play at a park.
As their program winds down, the students are excitedly practicing for their end of camp performance that will take place on Aug. 2. The show carries the theme of the play Annie and will take place at Five Corners Library in Jersey City. The show is free and the Kennedy Dancers are welcoming the public to attend the fun display of song and dance by the young performers.
Shining lights
While the younger members of the dance school rehearse for their final project, the Professional and Junior Companies are preparing for three passionate performances of 9/11 In the Shadow of the World Trade Center. The dance is a tribute for all of the individuals who lost their lives on Sept. 11, with choreography that Dragone said is based on her personal experience during the tragedy and relevant to the dancers since they are all from the New York/New Jersey area.
"As an artist and lifelong resident of Jersey City, I felt compelled to express myself through the creation of a choreography that would express my version, my sightline of the disaster," she said. "What else does an artist do but portray real life?"
The performance includes raw photos and video footage by photographer Guy Catrillo and videographer Tom Horan (Dragone’s husband). "My choreography blends with the other art to convey a touching, yet real look at America’s saddest day," Dragone said about the performance.
Two of the shows will be free and open to the public, one at Liberty State Park on Aug. 18 at 5 p.m., and one on Sept. 14 at Washington Square Park UMC in New York City at 7:30 p.m. On Sept. 4 the dancers will be perform at the Continental Arena as a free show to all Jersey City Public School employees.
Bright future
Beginning in the fall, the organization is hosting a class that is specially designed for senior citizens over the age of 60. The movements that will be done in the class are said to be helpful for those seniors with osteoporosis or arthritis. The class is called "Osteo-Strong" and will be held Fridays from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. starting Sept. 6. Each class is only costing the seniors $2 and will include weight bearing exercises, easy dance moves and yoga. They are also opening up two more classes for seniors, Yoga or Tai Chi, for eight-week sessions.
Aside from all of the entertaining, the Kennedy Dancers Inc. has been working on a big expansion project. The organization recently purchased a building adjacent to theirs and will be expanding the school and the studios. Dragone expressed her happiness about the renovations, which she said would be completed no later than Nov. 1. "It’s rare when an arts organization gets to expand," she smiled proudly. The new studios should be ready by the time most new classes begin, making the school even more comfortable for the talented continuing and potential-filled incoming dancers.
For more information about The Kennedy Dancers Inc. contact Diane Dragone at 201-659-2190, e-mail at kennedydancers@hotmail.com, or visit the studio at 79 Central Ave. in Jersey City. q