SAN DIEGO — The San Diego dance community is aligning with new energy and new leadership under the name San Diego Dance Connect. After several months of gathering the community’s input, ten dance leaders were selected to steer the newly formed alliance. They include: Blythe Barton, Erica Buechner, Ana Nieto, Molly Puryear, Elyssa Dru Rosenberg, Lara Segura, Molly Terbovich-Ridenhour, Zaquia Mahler Salinas, Anjanette Maraya-Ramey and Natalia Valerdi.
The mission of San Diego Dance Connect is to strengthen the dance community by providing opportunities to network, communicate, advocate, and share resources. Its vision is to empower the dance community to create a more sustainable and visible dance ecosystem in the San Diego region.
The community group will meet quarterly to share information and exchange ideas for creating more opportunities for dance in San Diego. These informal mixers will be held at various locations throughout San Diego County. The next event will be held July 29. The event will include a happy hour at Wang’s North Park from 5:00 – 6:30 p.m. followed by a networking and resource event at North Park’s Art Produce from 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., featuring an interactive presentation by Amy Fitterer, Executive Director of Dance USA and an update on the development of the new San Diego Dance Connect website. This is a community event with free admission. All are welcome.
Felicia Shaw, director of arts and Creative Economy at The San Diego Foundation Center for Civic Engagement, who was instrumental in launching San Diego Dance Connect, believes that these types of networks achieve more than any one individual or organization can achieve on its own. “San Diego Dance Connect will provide a platform for weaving diverse social ties, building and sharing knowledge, and creating infrastructure for widespread engagement – all of which help dance make a difference in the lives of more San Diegans,” said Shaw.
The steering committee spokesperson said that San Diego has one of the most diverse and active artist communities in the United States, driven by a recent surge of new artists and innovative projects that have brought credibility and visibility to the region. San Diego Dance Connect will ensure that this diverse community has the momentum and support it needs to grow and thrive.
For more information regarding San Diego Dance Connect, visit facebook.com/SanDiegoDanceConnect or email: sandiegodanceconnect@gmail.com to be added to the email list.
