COURT HOUSE — The Performing Arts Center of Middle Township is hosting 11 dance groups in showcase performances and in regional and national competitions from April through much of July.
Six of the companies are dance studios in Cape May County. The five others are from out of the area including as far west as Ohio, as south as Baltimore and as north as New York City.
Kay Aspell, managing director of the PAC, said the dance events are among the most popular bookings at the multi-purpose state-of-the-art Performing Arts Center because of the building’s compatibility with the dancing art, especially the stage’s flooring. She also said the arrival of the distant dance companies provides an economic boost to the area for restaurants, motels and other businesses. Thousands of young people and their families participate in the events, she said.
This year’s events got off to an early start when On Stage New York and NEXSTAR of Ohio brought their competitions and contestants to The PAC in April. Still on tap are contests to be held by Beyond The Stars of Mercerville, from June 26 to July 1; On Point of Hillsborough, from July 5 to 9 and On Stage America of Baltimore, from July 11 to 16.
The public is invited to attend the competitions which are ongoing through the day and night. There is no admission charge.
The spotlight, meanwhile, will begin to shine on local dancing talents on May 14 at 6 p.m., when the Crest Dancers of Wildwood Crest open the Cape May County series. They will be followed by the Reagan Dance Studio of Lower Township, on June 3 and 4 at 6:30 p.m.; Dancers Two of Middle Township, on June 10 and 11 at 6:30 p.m.; Dance Dynamics of Upper Township, on June 17 and 18 at 7 and 4 p.m. respectively; Jersey Cape Dance of Lower Township, on June 24 and 25 at 6 p.m. and the Cape May County Performing Arts Academy, with their studio in Middle Township, on July 22 and 23 at 7 p.m.
Call 463-1924.
