21st Annual Spirit of Christmas Variety Show

The Spirit of Christmas variety show featuring the Christian Dance Company from Tempe Dance Academy is celebrating its 21st year this December with six performances over two weekends at the Chandler Center for the Arts. A cast of over 100 local dancers with nationally recognized guest singers, performers, and choreographers have been delighting valley audiences of all ages for over 20 years. This year’s performances are on December 13th, 14th, 19th and 20th and proceeds will benefit Child Crisis Center-East Valley, an organization committed to preventing and treating child abuse and neglect. Their emergency shelter and other programs have provided aid and comfort to over 12,000 local children over the last 27 years. Everything they do focuses on keeping kids safe and families strong.

Dancers ages three through 25 will be presenting holiday dances in jazz, tap, ballroom, pointe, and musical theatre. A major highlight of the show is the Rockettes’ original number of “Parade of the Wooden Soldiers.”

Special guest artists include:

• Tom Booth, a renowned singer and songwriter from Tucson
• Michael Cook, previously with Ballet Arizona
• Tony Duncan, award winning Indian Hoop Dancer of Mesa
• Erica Ross, National Senior Outstanding Dancer – New York City Dance Alliance 2007
• Casey Gonzalez, Teen Miss Dance of America – Dance Masters of America 2007
• Victoria McWilliams, Junior Miss Dance of America – Dance Masters of America 2007
• McKenna Ross, Petite Miss Dance – Dance Masters of America 2007, National Mini outstanding Dancer – New York City Dance Alliance 2007
• Kolton Krouse, Master Dance – Dance Masters of America 2007, National Mini Outstanding Dancer – New York City Dance Alliance 2007

Enjoy an amazing display of talent in a heartwarming, wholesome, and humorous program that is sure to become a family tradition. Experience the true “Spirit of Christmas” this year at the Chandler Center for the Arts. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at the center or online at chandlercenter.org. Tempe Dance Academy is located at 1840 E. Warner Road in Tempe and has been in business for 54 years. TDA has an unprecedented seven national title winners. Many of their dancers have gone to work professionally in the field and some have appeared on the hit show, So You Think You Can Dance. Call Wanda Manville at 480-820-0795 for more information.

Performances:
Saturday, December 13th at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, December 14th at 2:30 p.m.
Friday, December 19th at 7:30 p.m.
Saturday, December 20th at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m

Technorati Tags: Chandler Center for the Arts, Child Crisis Center-East Valley, Christian Dance Company, Dance, Tempe Dance Academy