Sep 19 Message to Clients
Hello BeMovers - I hope this finds you well and for those of you celebrating Rosh Hashanah - Happy New Year! (I think we could all use a fresh start right about now). Much has transpired since my last note and I'd love to hear from you, and know how you are doing.
I'm thrilled to announce BeMoved to Action, a series of outdoor events across the city to promote wellness and community AND raise awareness for organizations working towards greater equity and social justice in Chicago. There are currently three (3) events planned in September and October; north side, south side and west side. The first event is NEXT SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 27 at NorthCenter's beautiful Town Hall at 11:30am. Each event will highlight and benefit a different local social justice organization and include a BeMoved class. A donation of $10 or more, made directly to the benefitting organization, is suggested. Donations are not required to participate – the events are open to EVERYONE. See attached, and follow me on Facebook and Instagram, for event details. Please help to spread the word.
These events are a marriage of passions. Given the momentum for social change and call for people to take action towards racial justice and equity, BeMoved wanted to do something to bring people together for a joyful experience and to help build bridges between communities. We all know from experiencing BeMoved just how powerful communal dance can be. What better way to open people’s minds and hearts, and invite people from different parts of the city to explore a neighborhood they might not otherwise have reason to visit, than through dance?! I hope you will join me for any and all of these events - I'd absolutely LOVE to see you in person and have you help me welcome the newcomers to BeMoved. These events will follow city protocols for safety - masks and social distancing required.
Since my last note, the Online BeMoved Digital Studio has soft-launched and is now available for you to try for free! This subscription-based digital studio allows you to take a BeMoved class any time and any where you like (think "on-demand"). The platform allows you to choose from different genres, levels and instructors (Sherry, Heidi and myself, so far), with new content added regularly. I do hope you will check it out. It was a fun project that encouraged us to create NEW content, and it was so "2020" to film classes in the studio Sherry and Esther set up in their bedroom!
A quick shout out to Chicago's own Stephanie Martinez on the launch of her new company PARA.MAR Dance Theater and their debut outdoor performances on October 3 & 4. If you are comfortable, please join me at the 4pm performance on October 4.
Finally, I continue to teach virtual BeMoved classes on Sundays at 11am and Tuesdays at 5pm and welcome you to join us. I also highly recommend Joshua Blake Carter of Giordano Dance Chicago's Open-Level Jazz Class on Wednesdays at 5:30pm on Virtual Dance Lab.
As the seasons change and we remain unable to see each other, please know that I'm thinking of you and wishing you wellness and peace. Please take care of yourself. Self care is not selfish, it is actually the greatest gift that you can give those who love you. Remember to grant yourself and others grace during these challenging times, and to inhale deeply and exhale fully - often.
With Love and Light,