This Saturday at Penn State’s second annual Infusion dance competition, nine dance teams from all over the country will take the stage at Eisenhower Auditorium to compete for $3,000 in cash and prizes and a bid to a national competition in San Francisco called Bollywood America.

West Kelowna, BC -- (SBWIRE) -- 03/24/2014 -- Although last year's Infusion was a big success, the Infusion board and committee has worked hard to improve the competition further.

"We loved that last year we were able to involve the State College community and bring a little bit of Indian culture to Penn State," said Sarika Patel, a director at Infusion. "The cherry on top was when we were recognized as the Best Overall Event in the circuit and awarded Best Hospitality at the end of last season. We set the bar pretty high last year so it's just a new challenge for us to surpass expectations again and the entire board and committee is really looking forward to that."

While it may seem like Infusion is targeted toward a specific, narrow audience, the board's goal is simply to unite all members of the State College dance community.

"Looking into the future I think Infusion has a lot to offer at Penn State. While it is a national competition for the Filmi-Fusion circuit we really want to make this an event that Penn Staters can look forward to and get involved in," Patel said.

Infusion's board hosts other events throughout the year to promote a general love for dance, such Penn State's Best Dance Crew.

"I think Infusion just brings together people that love to dance, and we have so much talent here at Penn State we want to be able to fuse that all together," Patel said.

Eisenhower's doors will open at 5:30 p.m. and the show will begin at 6 p.m. Tickets are $6 for students, and will be on sale at the HUB until 4 p.m. Friday. Tickets can also be purchased online. If you want to buy them at the door, tickets will be available for a higher price. Infusion is also hosting an official after party at Levels, which is bound to be a good time with dancers from schools like Cal-Berkley and Drexel celebrating their performances.

Other dance staff offering choreography for "Dance Spectrum" are Kellie Claverie, Kimberly Eaton, Horacio Heredia, Larissa Nazarenko, Ben Reyes and Jesus Solorio. Student contributors

include Alex Caballero, Jen Cameron, Stephen Carey, Brianna Deveraux, Emily Myers, Mary Sivongsa and Tyler Worth.

Tickets range from $13 to $15 and are available at the college's Performing Arts Center Box Office on the Santa Maria campus or by calling 922-8313. Box office hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m.

About Showtime Dance Promotions
Showtime Dance Promotions is one of the biggest organizers of Dance Competition and Dance Festivals in Canada. For more information visit http://showtimedancepromotions.com/ or contact Email: info@showtimedancepromotions.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

HANCOCK COLLEGE DANCE PROGRAM’S 45TH ANNUAL SPRING PRODUCTION

West Kelowna, BC -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/28/2014 -- Gearing up for its 45th annual spring production, the Hancock College dance program will feature professional hip-hop artist, choreographer, performer and singer Tamarr Paul in "Dance Spectrum," running March 13-16 in the newly renovated Marian Theatre on the Santa Maria campus.

Showtimes are 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. Children ages 5 and older are welcome to attend.

The 60-plus member cast is directed by Fine Arts Chair Larissa Nazarenko, and the program includes 11 original works choreographed by faculty and students ranging from ballet to modern, hip-hop, contemporary, tap and folk.

Paul has a 20-year commitment as a teacher, choreographer, performer and director. He got his professional start at Studio E in Santa Barbara, where he worked for 10 years as a hip-hop instructor and personal trainer. Completing programs at both Edge Performing Arts Center and TVI Actors Studio in Los Angeles, he choreographed for and performed in numerous videos and stage productions.

Working with renowned choreographer Debbie Allen, he became a principle hip-hop teacher at her academy in Culver City as well as collaborating with director Marty Thomas on several MTV music videos. His high-energy dance style mixes jazz and hiphop with salsa and tribal Afro-Brazilian dance.

Paul opened Rhythm Dance and Fitness Studios in 2000, where currently more than 600 students attend classes ranging from hip-hop to street jazz. He is also director of Rhythm Street Team and Rhythm Kids Crew, both local performance groups.

Traveling to various dance schools around Santa Barbara County, educating students in rhythm, music, dance, choreography and historical influences, Paul also offers dance classes within the school system that can be taken in lieu of PE classes.

Other dance staff offering choreography for "Dance Spectrum" are Kellie Claverie, Kimberly Eaton, Horacio Heredia, Larissa Nazarenko, Ben Reyes and Jesus Solorio. Student contributors

include Alex Caballero, Jen Cameron, Stephen Carey, Brianna Deveraux, Emily Myers, Mary Sivongsa and Tyler Worth.

Tickets range from $13 to $15 and are available at the college's Performing Arts Center Box Office on the Santa Maria campus or by calling 922-8313. Box office hours are Wednesday through Sunday from 1 to 7 p.m.

About Showtime Dance Promotions
Showtime Dance Promotions is one of the biggest organizers of Dance Competition and Dance Festivals in Canada. For more information visit http://showtimedancepromotions.com/ or contact Email: info@showtimedancepromotions.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Fun fact: it’s been documented that almost half of Americans are known to make New Year’s resolutions, but only less than 10% will actually stick to them. Out of that last bunch, only a third will actually be successful.

West Kelowna, BC -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/28/2014 -- Another fun fact: three of the top New Year's resolution involve physical wellness: losing weight is always at the top, followed closely by enjoying life, and rounded out by the desire to tackle basic fitness goals, such as competing in an athletic event. These are all excellent goals to have as a new life chapter starts to be written. But with stats that can deflate a person's hopes to achieving their goal, it can be difficult to stay motivated.

Dance Pizazz, St. Louis area funnest, friendliest studio, knows that these resolutions can go from dream to reality. Here are some ways ballroom dancing can make any --and all!-- of those goals can happen:

Loving Accountability: By engaging in the exciting, yet relaxed ballroom dance experience, dancers of any level (beginner, intermediate, or advanced) become part of a loving, caring community. When a dancer can't show up due to life's inconveniences, they are missed! Knowing that there are people who care about the dancer's well-being is enough to motivate anyone to get off that couch and get-to-steppin', all while enjoying the company of friends who share a love for ballroom dance.

Mindful Movement: The benefits of exercise are infinite: from improving cardiovascular health to warding off life-altering diseases, and from strengthening the muscles to enhancing balance and posture. Essentially, ballroom dance ranks quite highly in the list of exercises that can pretty much do it all. This all happens through the mind-body connection that not only engage the senses, but keeps the dancer interested in a task that is non-repetitive. It has been proven that those who participate in these types of exercise -the ones that involve their body and their mind- are exponentially more likely to keep exercising.

So, what's the recipe for success for any dancer to stick to those New Year's resolutions? Showing up regularly to perform an activity that is fun and incredibly healthy, all while spending time with friends in a caring and safe environment.

About Showtime Dance Promotions
Showtime Dance Promotions is one of the biggest organizers of Dance Competition and Dance Festivals in Canada. For more information visit http://showtimedancepromotions.com/ or contact Email: info@showtimedancepromotions.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Showtime Dance Promotions has this week shared another incredibly easy exercise designed to improve flexibility in the body's hamstrings.

West Kelowna, BC -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/28/2014 -- Showtime Dance Promotions a devoted Pilates fan herself after discovering its benefits during her dance career, says the exercise will be of use to many people as tight hamstrings are a very common problem amongst the population in general. The two studios she manages in Adelaide see many clients with walking and running difficulties caused by tight hamstrings.

In her new blog post Amazing Pilates Back Pain Exercise to Increase Hamstring Flexibility Gollan shows a quick and easy test that people can do to test their own hamstring flexibility. The test, as she demonstrates, involves lying on your back and straightening one leg aiming for a 90 degree angle from the body. The closer to 90 degrees, the better she says.

If anyone is struggling to achieve the 90 degree angle, Gollan says, then they do need to work on their flexibility and the video Amazing Pilates Back Pain Exercise to Increase Hamstring Flexibility demonstrates how to do just that. Tight hamstrings have a knock-on effects on other areas of the body, Gollan adds. As a result, the exercise will help the body overall. This exercise can be done at home with the help of either a Pilates ball or a tennis ball.

Gollan explains, is often due to problems with the body's fascia – the connective tissues which surround the muscles. In the video, Amazing Pilates Back Pain Exercise to Increase Hamstring Flexibility, she encourages people to think of the back fascia as a spider web running from the big toe, going underneath the sole of the foot, up through the calf, then the hamstring, the glutes, and all the way up through the shoulder blades to the crown of the head.

"If the fascia gets tight, or you have an injury," Gollan says, "then you need to work on your hamstring flexibility. What you need to do is place one foot on the tennis ball with the ball under your toes and put as much pressure on the ball as possible. Stay in position for 90 seconds and then swap the feet.

"You can test if this has worked by lying down on your back afterwords, straightening one leg and pulling it towards you – you should be able to pull your leg closer to the body."

Tight hamstrings is a common problem with clients coming into Gollan's Pilates studio. Many people have focused on hamstring muscle stretches which has not got them the results they have wanted, but by focusing on a stretch which works on the body's back fascia, they can see amazing results straight away.

She warns that those who have plantar fasciitis (a condition which causes pain underneath the heel which then spreads to the rest of the foot) should exercise caution when trying out the stretch and that they should be gentle.

About Showtime Dance Promotions
Showtime Dance Promotions is one of the biggest organizers of Dance Competition and Dance Festivals in Canada. For more information visit http://showtimedancepromotions.com/ or contact Email: info@showtimedancepromotions.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Ballet barres are often essential in dance studios and there are many types available to custom-fit them. Showtime Dance Promotions recommends a checklist for choosing the right one for your performance space.

West Kelowna, BC -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/28/2014 -- When choosing your wall-mounted ballet barres, check on the following:

1) Quality and price. The most expensive barres available are not always the best or most suitable for your needs.
2) Mounting. Brackets and stanchions should be strong to support the barres, ideally with a smooth and clean finish like powder-coating.
3) Barres should have capped and finished edges so that they are safe to use.
4) Brackets. They should ideally hold the barres from underneath so that the barres can be used without obstruction.
5) Adjustable height tracks. If height tracks are not a viable option, double barres may be used instead.

Showtime Dance Promotions has professional ballet barres custom-made and installed for dance studios, rehearsal and performance spaces. Each barre, made of 48mm Tasmanian oak, is tailored for the required space and finished to the customers' specifications. The rails can be fixed from wall brackets or from floor stanchions made of steel to provide optimum support.

All brackets are powder-coated for a clean finish, and are strong and safe for constant use. Brackets are supplied with the appropriate fixings based on the surface they are being attached to.

Single and double barres are both viable options, whether they be used for ballet, jazz or for fitness practices like Barre3 and Pilates.

About Showtime Dance Promotions
Showtime Dance Promotions is one of the biggest organizers of Dance Competition and Dance Festivals in Canada. For more information visit http://showtimedancepromotions.com/ or contact Email: info@showtimedancepromotions.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

Showtime Dance Promotions is now making its instructional DVD set available to all aspiring dancers and dance studios. Over 150 skills and techniques fully explained and demonstrated by one of the worlds few remaining teachers

West Kelowna, BC -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/28/2014 -- All dancers now have the opportunity to learn the awe-inspiring lifts and partnering techniques used by the stars of dance. The world's most comprehensive video guide to learning Pas De Deux (partnering) is now available from the Showtime Dance Promotions to fill the void that currently exists at dance studios around the world.

Currently, only a select few dance studios are able to offer classes on Pas De Deux as a result of the extremely small number of remaining qualified instructors. The 5-disk set of DVDs offered by the Academy provides detailed instruction by one of the only remaining world class Pas De Deux Masters, Sean Cronin. With these DVDs, it is expected that any dance studio will now have the opportunity to offer Pas De Deux classes or dedicated dancers will now have the opportunity to learn on their own.

The Academy's website details the contents of the 5 DVDs, maintains a registry of all Academy graduates and is building what it hopes will be the most comprehensive online directory of all things related to dance.

With the increasing popularity of dance shows on television and on the big screen, demand has grown to an all-time high for instruction in the best and most impressive partnering techniques and lifts. The DVD series provides the needed instruction from the very basic beginning partnering techniques to the most advanced professional lifts in over 6 1/2 hours of instruction covering over 150 skills and techniques.

Mr. Cronin has over 25 years of experience performing and teaching Pas De Deux in some of the most famous shows in Las Vegas and Paris. Mr. Cronin says that the release of this DVD series is the realization of his dream to be able to capture his life's work on video and to make the information available all of those aspiring dancers who would not otherwise have access to it. To help out during the current economic turmoil the Academy is offering a limited time special 40% discount by using Coupon Code "SAVE50" at checkout.

About Showtime Dance Promotions
Showtime Dance Promotions is one of the biggest organizers of Dance Competition and Dance Festivals in Canada. For more information visit http://showtimedancepromotions.com/ or contact Email: info@showtimedancepromotions.com

Phone: 250-768-7202
Fax: 250-768-4579

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

The Showtime Dance Promotions organized the event, which takes place nightly on the second floor of the John Club in Kelowna Canada.

West Kelowna, BC -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/25/2014 -- "There's salsa festivals from Tokyo to Berlin to LA to New York," said Michelle Hyde-Wright, one of the organizers, "but this is the first time we've ever had one here in Eugene, so it's pretty exciting."

Event organizer and dancer Jose Cruz thinks the Dance festival will bring a new cultural feel to the area.

"We want to create something bigger to let Eugene know we have Latin music," he said.

Ticket to the Dance Competition start at $20, but you can also grab weekend packages.

"On both evenings we're gonna have a full hour of beginners class from 8:30 to 9:30, and then there's going to be a full hour of performances after that," Hyde-Wright said. "Even if someone's never done salsa before, they're definitely welcome to come, do the really beginners class, watch the shows, try a little dancing with the band."

- This competition focuses on the highest levels of classical ballet and contemporary disciplines for dancers between the ages of 9 and 19 divided into three categories by age. Many young artists from Gwinnett participated last year when YAGP held its Southeastern semifinal in Atlanta for the first time, with GBT's Madison Greene and Abigrace Diprima as well as Victoria Hasek and Tamon Uruno of the Royal Dance Academy attaining the status of top 12 finalists in their respective age groups for the Southeast.

- This year, at least 24 young artists from Gwinnett studios are competing. Studios responding to inquiries yielded the following list of participants, listed in alphabetical order of the studio name:

- From Buford School of Ballet, participants are Kayla Muirhead, 14 and Bridget Horrocks, 16.

- From the Academy of Ballet in Norcross — Anna Margaret Dunlap, 15, of Roswell High School, and Samantha Mia Lee, 18, of Norcross High School

- There are 14 competitors from Gwinnett Ballet Theatre — Taylor Adams, 14, Grayson High School; Kaylee Boyd, 15, home schooled; Julianna Brown, 14, Brookwood High School; Abigrace Diprima, 18, Gwinnett Online; Kelli Frangoulis, 15, Brookwood High School; Hannah Freeman 14, Grayson High School; Madison Greene, 14, Brookwood high School; Sydney Haglund, 16, home schooled; Danielle Hoyle, 14, Trickum Middle School; Alex Nowell, 10, home schooled; Cameron Silas 14, Cruise Middle School; Jordan Silas, 16, Brookwood High School; Amelia Snyder, 14, St. Pius; Madeline Whitehead, 15, Grayson High School.

- From Sugarloaf Ballet are the following competitors — Alberto Andrade, 13 from Creekland Middle School; Jada Bourgeois, 13, Lanier Middle School; Charly Gioino, 16, Gwinnett Online Academy; Ava Hager, 12, Osbourne Middle School; Abigail Harrison, 16, Gwinnett Online Academy; Jane LaMay, 16, Greater Atlanta Christian; Lola O'Leary, 9, Level Creek Elementary; and Alexis Smith, 13, who is home schooled.

- Now in its 15th year, YAGP has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships to winning dancers since it was launched in 1999 by two former dancers of the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet, Larissa and Gennadi Saveliev.

About Showtime Dance Promotions
Showtime Dance Promotions is one of the biggest organizers of Dance Competition and Dance Festivals in Canada. For more information visit http://showtimedancepromotions.com/ or contact Email: info@showtimedancepromotions.com

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm

One of the most prestigious dance competitions in the world will return to Gwinnett for a second year when the Youth America Grand Prix holds its Southeastern Semifinals at the Gwinnett Performing Arts Center Feb. 26 through 28. Young artists from several of Gwinnett’s dance schools will be competing.

West Kelowna, BC -- (SBWIRE) -- 02/25/2014 -- YAGP is no ordinary competition. The Grand Prix is international in scope with competitions in Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Japan and Belgium. There are 14 semifinals in the U.S. from coast to coast. A major motion picture titled "First Position" was distributed to great acclaim last year, depicting the lives of young dancers aspiring to compete in the finals. This year these finals will occur in New York City in early April.

-This competition focuses on the highest levels of classical ballet and contemporary disciplines for dancers between the ages of 9 and 19 divided into three categories by age. Many young artists from Gwinnett participated last year when YAGP held its Southeastern semifinal in Atlanta for the first time, with GBT's Madison Greene and Abigrace Diprima as well as Victoria Hasek and Tamon Uruno of the Royal Dance Academy attaining the status of top 12 finalists in their respective age groups for the Southeast.

-This year, at least 24 young artists from Gwinnett studios are competing. Studios responding to inquiries yielded the following list of participants, listed in alphabetical order of the studio name:

- From Buford School of Ballet, participants are Kayla Muirhead, 14 and Bridget Horrocks, 16.

- From the Academy of Ballet in Norcross — Anna Margaret Dunlap, 15, of Roswell High School, and Samantha Mia Lee, 18, of Norcross High School

- There are 14 competitors from Gwinnett Ballet Theatre — Taylor Adams, 14, Grayson High School; Kaylee Boyd, 15, home schooled; Julianna Brown, 14, Brookwood High School; Abigrace Diprima, 18, Gwinnett Online; Kelli Frangoulis, 15, Brookwood High School; Hannah Freeman 14, Grayson High School; Madison Greene, 14, Brookwood high School; Sydney Haglund, 16, home schooled; Danielle Hoyle, 14, Trickum Middle School; Alex Nowell, 10, home schooled; Cameron Silas 14, Cruise Middle School; Jordan Silas, 16, Brookwood High School; Amelia Snyder, 14, St. Pius; Madeline Whitehead, 15, Grayson High School.

- From Sugarloaf Ballet are the following competitors — Alberto Andrade, 13 from Creekland Middle School; Jada Bourgeois, 13, Lanier Middle School; Charly Gioino, 16, Gwinnett Online Academy; Ava Hager, 12, Osbourne Middle School; Abigail Harrison, 16, Gwinnett Online Academy; Jane LaMay, 16, Greater Atlanta Christian; Lola O'Leary, 9, Level Creek Elementary; and Alexis Smith, 13, who is home schooled.

- Now in its 15th year, YAGP has awarded more than $2 million in scholarships to winning dancers since it was launched in 1999 by two former dancers of the world-renowned Bolshoi Ballet, Larissa and Gennadi Saveliev.

About Showtime Dance Promotions
Showtime Dance Promotions is one of the biggest organizers of Dance Competition and Dance Festivals in Canada. For more information visit http://showtimedancepromotions.com/ or contact Email: info@showtimedancepromotions.com

Phone: 250-768-7202
Fax: 250-768-4579

For more information on this press release visit: http://www.releasewire.com/press-releases/release-3.htm