saturday, mar 10
The Florida Ballet, a nonprofit located in Downtown Jacksonville and offering professional classical ballet training for forty years, has been working with four Duval county schools to provide exposure to dance to middle school aged boys during the course of their school day. Breaking the Barrier: For Boyz Only is a multilevel educational and performance project providing an opportunity for middle school aged boys to gain exposure to the art of dance. The project targets young men facing barriers to art experiences due to various reasons including financial considerations, misconceptions about dance, unfamiliarity with cultural activities, or a lack of exposure to the arts. The project is funded by a grant received through PNC Arts Alive. PNC made a three-year commitment to fund arts initiatives in Northeast Florida through the Arts Alive program, and The Florida Ballet is a 2017 recipient.On March 10, the four schools, along with male dancers training within The Florida Ballet and acclaimed performer Carlos Garland, will be presenting a culminating performance to celebrate community and the male dancer, free of charge. The Florida Ballet calls this program “proof that despite educational, economic, or social differences, the neighborhoods of Jacksonville are intertwined with one another when supporting a common interest.”
LaVilla School of the Arts, 501 N. Davis St., 633-6069.
