World-Class Dancers Collaborate for D.C.

Youth
Fundraiser Key to Making Children's Dreams Come True
D. Kevin McNeir | 4/27/2016, 3 p.m.

Members of the D.C.-based CityDance after-school DREAM program will benet from the fourth annual fundraiser, DREAMscape, featuring dancers
from across the U.S. and directed by Rasta Thomas, which takes place on May 7 at the Lincoln Theatre. (Courtesy of CityDance)
Some of the worlds top ballet and contemporary companies will soon team up for a one-night-only performance in order to raise funds for a Districtbased program that uses dance as a pathway for youth who face hurdles in graduating from high school and pursuing their dreams.
The annual performance of DREAMscape, directed by Rasta Thomas and presented by CityDances afterschool DREAM program, takes place on
Saturday, May 7 at D.C.s Lincoln Theatre in Northwest. Proceeds will support the DREAM program which targets youth from among the Districts
underserved communities.
Thomas, who spent his formative years in the D.C. area and had earned his black belt in Martial arts by the age of ve, said dance remains important to
young people because it helps them expand their horizons.
I understand the importance of the arts in our schools and rmly believe dance can inspire and give a creative outlet for our communitys youth, said
Thomas, who studied ballet at the Kirov Academy here in D.C., has performed with companies around the world, started his own dance company in
2007 and serves as the CEO of the Primetime Dance Competition and Showbiz National Talent Competition.
Established in 2005, the award-winning DREAM program provides mentoring, tutoring and dance instruction to thousands of students from grades
three through 12 at public schools and community sites in the District. In 2018, the DREAM program will anchor a new arts center in downtown D.C.,
The DREAM Center for Dance.
Kelli Quinn, director of DREAM, insists that its not the typical after-school program.
We use dance as a vehicle to instill trust, leadership, respect and other skills necessary to succeed in life while also providing an environment in which
children feel safe and secure she said. We rmly believe that art makes a difference thats why our organization brings youth and professionals
together as we promote the arts in the community.
When the curtain goes up, the audience will witness a bevy of extraordinary dancers including: Matthew Golding, The Royal Ballet; Anna

Tsygankova, Dutch National Ballet; Cartier Williams Dance Theatre; Gallim Dance; Pete Walker, Aspen Santa Fe Ballet; Anna Gerberich, The Joffrey
Ballet; and Thomas. In addition, there will be special appearances by CityDance students.
Thomas said hes as excited as Floyd Mayweather before a big boxing match.
Were fortunate enough to have made a lot of friends in the industry and were bringing them to D.C. for this important cause making sure quality
arts programs are available for children in the inner city, he said. Thats what this is all about.
The children will have the opportunity to meet the artists and ask them questions about their lives and how they readied themselves for their careers.
For some of our youth, it will be their rst opportunity to see what dance is really all about in all of its many genres, Thomas added.
CityDance Executive Director Alexe Nowakowski says DREAMscape stands as a culmination of all that CityDance represents.
Presenting world-class dance, training young dancers for professional careers and providing free afterschool programs to D.C. youth thats our
mission and our greatest joy, she said.
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