Annually, the Arcadia dance department and other invited guests perform at the Charity Show. This show primarily features students from Beginning Dance, Intermediate Dance, the Orchesis Dance Company, and other local dance companies. Orchesis member senior Erika Koh shared “Orchesis will be performing the winter assembly dance, the homecoming dance, and three student-choreographed smaller dances.” Students from AHS have been working hard the past semester in order to perfect their dance routines and prepare to showcase what they’ve learned to the audience. Beginning Dance student freshman Nivetha Navaneethan thought, “It was fun learning the choreography and it’s going to be one of [her] first shows in front of other people at school.”

This show is a once-in-a-semester chance to show your support for your fellow peers or friends in the dance department. Dances of different styles will be featured in this show to ensure the entertainment quality of the show. “We spent about two months learning and rehearsing our dance. The two different intermediate classes prepared different dances, but my class has the longest routine in the show, and this will be the first time that there will be live singing in one of the performances,” said Intermediate Dance student junior Shreenithi Navaneethan.

However, the purpose of the Charity Dance Show is not only to provide a deeper insight to what the students have been working on for the past semester but also to, as the show’s name suggests, make a donation to charity. This year, a portion of the proceeds will go the ALS Association, a national non-profit organization that specializes in fighting against Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Lou Gehrig’s Disease, otherwise known as just ALS, is a currently incurable disease that causes the breakdown of nerve cells in the victim and gravely affects the functions of the muscles. This disease can affect patients for a lifetime. The ALS Association funds research for the disease and also provides assistance to those who are affected by the illness in hopes of being able to cure patients one day. In fact, the Ice Bucket Challenge originated from this particular association to raise awareness and donations. Our very own dance department and an anticipated audience will also be able to support the causes that the ALS Association stands for this year.

The Charity Dance Show will be held on Dec. 8 starting at 7 p.m. The tickets are $10 for regular pre-sale and $15 for both pre-sale VIP tickets and regular at the door. The show is held in the PAC, so space is limited. Be sure to buy tickets as soon as possible because the show generally sells out. Tickets can be purchased at school from any dance student, online, or at the store. This event is perfect for a relaxed evening with friends and family.

Photo courtesy of AHSORCHESIS