Dance Tour Headed Across Idaho

Washington, DC â?? Residents of rural Idaho cities, schools, and tribal areas will get an up-close, personal experience with dance theater and techniques, thanks to a federal grant being announced by Idaho Senator Mike Crapo and the Idaho Dance Theater. The National Endowment for the Arts grant for $10,000 will allow members of the Idaho Dance Theater to commence a tour across southern Idaho next month. Crapo is working with the dance company on an additional grant for a northern Idaho tour next year.â??This tour brings the arts and dance from the city to the country and will inspire students, tribal members, and others who would otherwise not have the exposure to dance techniques,â?? Crapo said. â??The dance company will offer post-performance discussions between local residents and the artists, and an interactive show for elementary school students who have to drive to the state capital otherwise to see such a performance.â??The federal Access to Artistic Excellence grants will help cover the expenses of the tour, which begins at Burleyâ??s historic King Fine Arts Center theater on October 5th. The tour group follows with performances and meetings in Mackay, Driggs, Fort Hall, Blackfoot, American Falls, and ends October 14th in Pocatello. During a press conference on the steps of the Idaho Statehouse, Mark Hofflund, Chair of Idahoâ??s Commission on the Arts, called the tour â??historic.â??â??Our goal is to bring contemporary dance to every corner of the state,â?? said Idaho Dance Theater Managing Director Joan Dashiell. â??We are the Idaho Dance Theatre and we take the word IDAHO seriously. The state is large with many small towns scattered throughout. The economies of rural Idaho are changing as ranching, logging, and mining decrease and tourism increases. The people in these towns crave culture but have no access to it. They do not have the resources to create it. We believe that professional, contemporary dance should be seen in these areas as well as in the Boise area.â??Dashiell says the community performances by the Idaho Dance Theater are free. At the conclusion of many of the performances, dancers will meet with the audience members to answer questions. Dashiell says the Idaho Dance Theaterâ??s Educational Outreach Program will also visit schools to talk with children about issues such as cooperation, respect, and diversity. Following the state tour, the Idaho Dance Theater will perform in Boise on Sunday, October 16th at the Special Events Center. Tickets will be available by contacting the Idaho Dance Theater at 331-9592 or info@idahodancetheather.org.The southern Idaho tour dates are as follows: October 5 - Burley, King Fine Arts Center, 7:00 p.m.October 6 - Blackfoot, Head Start School, 1:30 p.m.October 7 - Mackay, Mackay High School, 7:00 p.m.October 8 - Driggs, Teton High School, 7:00 p.m.October 10 - Driggs, Driggs Elementary School, 10:00 a.m.October 11 -- Fort Hall, Fort Hall Elementary School, 1:30 p.m.October 12 - Blackfoot, Wapello Elementary School, 10:15 a.m.October 12 - D.D. Stalker Elementary School, 1:30 p.m.October 13 - American Falls, High School Performing Arts Center, 7:00 p.m.October 14 - Pocatello, Gateway Center for Theater & Dance, 7:00 p.m.# # #