“Life's a dance; put on your dancing shoes; take a chance.” That lyrical snippet of Steve Winwood’s minor hit does a very nice job of summing up the coolness that the third annual DanceOff will be bringing to the Pyramid Scheme on Dec. 10.
Jonathan Williams, creator of the DanceOff, says the event has raised nearly $10,000 over the last two years for Well House, a Grand Rapids-based nonprofit that provides safe, affordable housing to individuals who are homeless. He expects the same type of success in 2016.
Williams says all dance styles are welcome, and the event is now open to all ages. So, whether you breakdance, swing, free style, tap, cha cha, waltz, rumba, merengue, samba, salsa, Charleston, jitterbug, Carolina shag, disco, tango, or foxtrot -- or you prefer mashing, skanking, doing the electric boogaloo, flexing, robot dancing, or vogueing, you are welcome.
Basically, if you got moves: bring it.
The event is designed to bring together some of Grand Rapids’ best dancers for a head-to-head battle to crown the ultimate dance champion.
Doors will swing open at the Pyramid Scheme on Dec. 10. The top dancer, as selected by a panel of professional dancers, will be awarded a grand prize of $500, and proceeds from ticket sales benefit Well House.
To enter the DanceOff, contestants must submit a three-minute video of their best moves at
www.thedanceoff.co or audition in-person at the Pyramid Scheme on Nov. 15 from 7 to 9 p.m. Contestants need to pre-register online and will be asked to submit a three-minute clip of their music. Contestants who make the cut will compete on stage at the main event on Dec. 10.
The DanceOff is seeking experienced and diverse dancers of all ages and all dance styles. Although Williams is a bit modest with his dance moves (“I like to keep it simple with the two step and some finger snapping for good measure”), he does promise some amazing performances. “We have had everything from: contemporary, modern, tap, and hip hop -- what surprises me every year is the hidden dance talent in Grand Rapids.”
Tickets for the Dec. 10 event are $10 and can be purchased online at
www.thedanceoff.co.
Video trailer for Dance-Off:
https://youtu.be/-0_echOfPFE
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor
Photo credits: Dave Burgess | Studio 616 Photography
Enjoy this story?
Sign up for free solutions-based reporting in your inbox each week.