Grants awarded to EDC!

Equinox Dance Company was awarded two grants for the 2009-2010 season:

* Community Arts Development Grant from the Frederick Arts Council

* 2010 Arts in Communities Grant from the Maryland State Arts Council

Equinox would like to thank the Frederick Arts Council and the Maryland State Arts Council for their continued support. EDC is very grateful for these grants, which will help toward our continuation of the Arts.

Nola Fundraiser a Success!

Cafe Nola in downtown Frederick graciously agreed to host our dinner party to help support Equinox Dance Company. A percentage of the proceeds from dinner went directly to EDC while a special Equinox drink was concocted for this extraordinary evening. Dinner was held between 5-8pm, while others stayed to enjoy the sounds of Christabel and the Jons.

Equinox Dance Company would like to personally thank the wonderful staff and manager (Dave) at Cafe Nola for their gracious hospitality and support towards the Arts.

"The fundraiser at Nola was a great opportunity for the dancers to socialize with each other and the Frederick community, while supporting a local establishment and Equinox."
-- Emily Bonham Owen (Equinox dancer)













Thank you to Emily Bonham Owen and Aileen Sabira Geraghty for contributing their photos.

First photo by Emily Bonham Owen
Second photo by Aileen Sabira Geraghty
Third photo by Emily Bonham Owen
Fourth photo by Aileen Sabira Geraghty
Fifth photo by Emily Bonham Owen
(c)2009, all rights reserved.

Fall Fundraiser with Cafe Nola!

This is an event you don't want to miss!!

Equinox Dance Company is teaming up with Cafe Nola for their first annual EDC Fundraiser on Saturday, November 21st.

Just stop by for a great dinner anytime between 5pm-8pm and a portion of the proceeds will go towards EDC. (Be sure to tell your server you are there in support of Equinox). Also, for one night only, Nola will feature a special drink, just for EDC supporters, be sure to ask your server/bartender for details. Feel free to stay later on in the evening to enjoy the delightful music of "Christabel and the Jons" at 9pm. Check them out at their myspace page at: http://www.myspace.com/christabelmusic

Cafe Nola is located at 4 East Patrick Street; Frederick, Maryland.
More information can be found at: http://www.cafe-nola.com

It's bound to be an exciting evening with wonderful food, drinks, live music, and friends.

Hope to see you out!!

American Diabetes Association

Equinox Dance Company participated in a free mini showcase for the participants of the American Diabetes Association, STEP OUT Walk to fight diabetes in Frederick's lovely Baker Park on October 11th. EDC also gave a pre-walk warm-up to approximately 800 walk participants. It was wonderful to have the energetic crowd dancing with us! This was EDC's fourth year participating in this amazing community experience.

"Walk participants look forward to EDC's show and warm-up. It boosts everyone's energy and gets them excited to start walking." -Chris Genovese (CHAIRMAN of the ADA Volunteer Walk Committee)

And on a special note, Marissa Genovese has been asked be the 2010 ADA Youth Ambassador for next year’s walk! We know she will represent ADA well. You can see Marissa at the EDC Children’s Benefit Show to support diabetes in February at the Cultural Arts Center in downtown Frederick. Thanks to all participants!!

EDC Particpates in Frederick Artist Market

Equinox recently particpated in downtown Frederick's local Artist Market, located at the Cultural Arts Center. We performed structured improv sessions, accompanied by a live classical guitarist. We also had an informational table and sold our new, handpainted EDC t-shirts!

The indoor arts and crafts market features the work of up to 35 local artists, including jewelry, pottery, art, photography, and other hand-crafted items. The special event, which is free to attend and open to the public, is held six times per year. Don't miss the upcoming special Holiday Artist Market on November 27, Frosty Friday! For more information, including how to participate, contact the Frederick Arts Council at 301-662-4190 or via email jdobbins@frederickartscouncil.org.

In the Streets

On Saturday, October 3rd Equinox Dance Company held an open Works-in-Progress modern Dance Showcase; Children's Workshop; and Adult Technique class at the Cultural Arts Center located in downtown Frederick. All activities took place during Frederick's In The Streets Festival/ First Saturday.

EDC had quite a turn-out for the above said activities and it was an afternoon of fun for the whole family.

Special thanks to Chrissa for advertising for Equinox in front of the Cultural Arts Center, even though she is unable to move due to an injured leg. Take your vitamins my dear and get better soon! We'll need you in the Spring.

Rain again? Really?

Obviously as soon as we pencil in an EDC yard sale on our calendars mother nature has another idea for us. Thankfully, we managed to ward off the showers until the very end of the yardsale.... and sell most of our items in the process!

The Mount Airy Carnival Grounds yard sale was a huge success for EDC (and I'm sure many others). Yard sellers were as far as the eye could see. Just some donated items, tables, warm coffee and we were good to go!

Thanks to everyone that donated and/or volunteered and a special thank you to Kim Dow for providing a large (and much needed) collapsible tent.

All yard sale proceeds went directly to Equinox Dance Company so thanks to all for supporting the Arts!

Practice Makes Perfect.....

I dropped by rehearsal on Saturday, Sept 13th to say hello to my lovely dancing ladies of EDC. Laurie Newton was teaching a wonderful and challenging modern piece that got everyone back into the swing of things.
(swing...get it... hardi..hardi.. ahem.... um... yeah.)

Thanks Laurie! Can't wait to check out your new choreography for EDC this year.

Take a look at the photos and how some of the dances are progressing.

Boscov's

On Saturday, August 29th the ladies of Equinox Dance Company were asked to perform at Boscov's for their Family Fun Day. EDC also held two free movement classes and children, teens and adults joined them onstage for the improvisation.
It was a lot of fun!

Special thanks to Boscov's in Frederick, MD for inviting us!

Rain, rain go away.....

On Saturday, August 22nd three EDC board members ventured to the Carroll Manor County Fair Grounds to sell donated items to benefit the company. With Hurricane Bill looming in the background, EDC prevailed and the yardsale was a huge success!

The next yardsale will be held on Saturday, Sept 26th. Please let us know if you would like to donate any items to be sold at this yardsale. Please keep in mind that this is a tax-deductible donation with all proceeds benefitting Equinox Dance Company directly.

Come support the Arts!

Auditions a Success!

On Sunday August 1st, Equinox Dance Company held auditions for the 2009-2010 season. We would like to thank everyone who came out to the Saturday modern class and the audition process on Sunday.

Congratulations to the following new dancers!

Madeleine Benda
Danielle Horochowski
Amy Scaringe
Lisa Gillespie


Returning dancers include:

Emily Bonham Owen
Pat Burns
Kady Davis
Chrissa Dockendorf
Kimberly Dow
Lee Ek
Emily Fox
Jessica Fitzwater
Stephanie Peters
Rebecca Rolnick
Jen Smith

We are looking forward to a great 2009-2010 season!

FREE Dance Classes and Open Audition

Equinox Dance Company will hold free modern dance classes this Saturday, August 1st at the Cultural Arts Center in downtown Frederick. An open class, for all levels, will be held at 6:30 pm and an intermediate/advanced class will be held at 7:30 pm. Please arrive 15 minutes early to start warming up.

Equinox Dance Company will also hold open auditions on Sunday, August 2 at the Cultural Arts Center in downtown Frederick from 1-3pm.

Attendees must come prepared to dance, wearing proper shoes and attire. Audition consists of modern and jazz combinations, and a brief tap combination for those interested. EDC recommends, but doesn’t require, dancers come prepared with a short movement piece to show style and choreographic skills—please provide your own music.

*Must be 18 years or older to participate in either event.
*The Cultural Arts Center is located at 15 west patrick street in downtown Frederick, MD

For more information please visit: www.equinoxdance.org


Free Modern Classes
Date: August 1
Location: Cultural Arts Center of Frederick
Open Class (All Levels): 6:30pm
Company Class (Advanced Levels): 7:30pm

Company Auditions
Date: August 2
Location: Cultural Arts Center of Frederick
Time: 1:00-3:00 pm

EDC Window Display at the Cultural Arts Center

Check out the EDC window display at the Cultural Arts Center in downtown Frederick, MD. It will be on display for another week advertising auditions for the upcoming 2009 - 2010 season.

Becoming the Artistic Director of Equinox Dance Company

My parents weren’t surprised when I told them I was taking over artistic direction of Equinox Dance Company this year, but I was.

Could the dream of a little ballerina from Silver Spring really be coming true? Wow.

Ever since I was young I’ve been bossing people around. Directing is just in my blood-I guess.

In the 80s I created dances to Madonna’s Like a Prayer in our basement. I even directed full productions of The Little Mermaid and Mary Poppins, complete with stunts and music to lip-sync to.

My musical selection and choreography have improved over the years but I still hold those values of having fun and making performance surprising, funny and beautiful.

Recently I’ve been employed to choreograph students at Montgomery College for their Dance Company and for the musical production A Year with Frog and Toad.

But this is different. Equinox is an adult modern dance company with beautiful, sophisticated dancers: dancers who will probably remember the moves, unlike my sister and her other 5-year-old friends, in our Girls Just Want to Have Fun music video.

Equinox dancers are strong enough to perform real stunts and sing their own words without lip singing. They probably won’t even cry when I give them constructive criticism.

They’re all mine and I can’t wait!

Now that I have met the company and am getting ready to meet future company members, they all seem to share my love of dance.

Equinox proves that no matter how old you are, girls still just want to have fun and I want to show them how.

--Andie Ligon