A Short Story for DA:NCE by Mary BawdenStories encapsulate knowledge and are lived-out experiences from the past, present and future. They help us make sense of the world, give us a sense of identity, and they allow us to educate others with personal knowledge. At DA:NCE, story is important. That’s one of the reasons we invite dancers to share their dance stories. Each person who dances comes away from the experience with a healthy heart or a harmed heart.
Guest Blogger: Ziba SidrysAround the World with Confidance: One of the beautiful things about dance is its universality. I’ve had the incredible opportunity over the years to teach dance lessons, formally and spontaneously, all around the world: Italy, Spain, England, Singapore, the Philippines, Egypt, Israel, South Africa. It doesn’t matter where one goes, there’s a certain joy that dance brings out in people like nothing else can.
Make a Difference: Donate to DA:NCE by Mary BawdenIt’s a time to reflect and think about what’s important. As a dance educator and founder of Dance Awareness: No Child Exploited, I want to remind you of our very important mission. DA:NCE exists to stop the hypersexualization of children in dance using adult costumes, choreography & music.
One of the goals of the DA:NCE is to highlight organizations we feel embody healthy dance. We are pleased to present: Boca Dance Studio, located in Boca Raton, Florida.
Guest Blogger: Sarah StrombergA Dance Educator Speaks – I have been coaching youth and young adults in the areas of Gymnastics, Cheerleading, and Dance for the past 20 years. I have a degree in Kinesiology with a concentration in Pedagogy, and Masters in Teacher Leadership and Development. I have worked in various different socioeconomic groups as well as a variety of inner-city youth programs. Through my teachings, I have encountered and worked with a wide variety of coaches who have displayed a vast majority of viewpoints in their coaching as well.
Guest Article: Frances CFrom Tap Dance to Lap Dance – My Story of Exploitative Dance. From a very young age, I wanted to be a performer – a singer, a ballerina, a dancer, a star. I began at 4 years old in a tap-dancing class – we wore adorable little chickadee costumes and I remember feeling so special because my mom let me wear blush and red lipstick. My dad and his male friend gave me lots of attention that day – I looked so cute!
Our Share Your DA:NCE Story campaign continues, and we’d love to include your voice! If you took dance lessons as a child and had a negative experience, we need to hear from you. Your first-hand account allows us to expose the damaging effects of childhood hypersexualized dance and open the eyes of parents, dance teachers, and studio owners through education and awareness.
To participate, visit danceawareness.com/shareyourdancestory. You are welcome to share your name or remain anonymous. Share your story and help us protect children in dance!
Voices Against Trafficking Releases First Book
Mary Bawden, Founder of DA:NCE Awareness is a founding member of Voices Against Trafficking (VAT).
“It is important to understand the connection between hypersexualized children’s dance, stripping, prostitution, and human trafficking.
The grooming that hypersexualized children undergo make them vulnerable to being exploited in the future and for another’s profit. I feel that the collaborative approach and proactivity of Voices Against Trafficking is critical to resolve these issues in our world.” Mary Bawden
March 3-5,2022 CAHPERD(California Health Physical Education Recreation Dance) Conference Los Angeles, CA
March 8-11, 2022 NRB(National Religious Broadcaster’s) Conference Nashville, Tennessee
March 2022 release of the song ‘She Loves to Move’ for DA:NCE by ‘Healing for the Soul’ founder Steve Silar
April 2022 (date to be determined) Webinar for the country of Turkey re: DA:NCE
April 2022 (date to be determined) Cal State Fullerton workshop for dance majors
May 2022 (date to be determined) workshop in the UK for onedanceUK.org
Click the button below to Donate to Dance Awareness: No Child Exploited to help end child exploitation through dance. DA:NCE is a program of Soul to Sole Choreography, a Section 501(c)(3) organization, EIN 20-0370145. Contributions are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Educate and inform your local dance studio to stop adult, sexual choreography, lyrics and costumes for children under 12.
You can make a difference by starting a petition in your own community. Your signature, and those of other concerned adults, can raise awareness and give a voice to end the sexualization of young girls through choreography and costumes in your own community!
Our Step by Step Guide to Educate Dance Studios provides helpful tips you can use when collecting signatures and also outlines best practices for presenting the signatures collected to your local dance studio owner or teacher. And if you are ready to dive right in, download the local dance petition signature collection sheets and start collecting signatures. Your efforts will no doubt make a big difference in protecting young dancers in your community!
DA:NCE works towards bringing international awareness and education to stop the exploitation through hypersexualization of children in dance. Join our team as a volunteer to help us fulfill our mission through building partnerships, advocating for change and educating the community. Volunteer opportunities are currently available in our Partnership Department and our Education Department.
