Simply Dance to perform at Skylands Stadium

AUGUSTA — Simply Dance dancers on Friday will perform their Holiday Showcase at the Skylands Stadium Christmas Village from 6-7 p.m. There is no admission charge and parking is free.
Co-owner of Simply Dance Shannon Mackey has been in business with her sister and dance director Danielle Seidner since 2004.
“Danielle handles the artistic side of things, choreographing and teaching many of our classes,” Mackey said. “We used to perform at the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show, Vernon Day and Earthfest,” she continues, “but haven’t in the last few years. This is our comeback!”
The studio instructs students anywhere from ages two through 18. Their first time performing at the Stadium, Mackey explains it was the Stadium’s Corporate Sales Manager, Joann Ciancitto, who contacted them.
“In total, we teach 130 students. Roughly 50 will be performing at Skylands. We had a Holiday Showcase at our studio Dec. 4 and the students will be performing the same hip hop, jazz, lyrical and musical theatre dances.”
Simply Dance instructors Seidner, Mike Van Vliet, and Jill Intveld choreographed the Holiday Showcase.
In the Skylands Christmas Village where the studio will be performing, there are crafts, vendors, carnival games, refreshments and photos with Santa Claus to enjoy.
“This is an opportunity for students to perform for the community in a setting other than the end-of-the-year recital. Plus, it gets them in the holiday spirit,” Mackey said. “I wanted Simply Dance to be a small recreational dance studio with a family atmosphere. We have a competitive team, but the performance at Skylands will have a combination of competitive and recreational dancers.”
Van Vliet of Vernon has been teaching as a dance instructor at Simply Dance since 2012 and just recently graduated from Ramapo College with his Bachelor’s in Design/Technical Theater. He currently tackles hip hop, tumbling and musical theatre classes.
“It’s a blast,” he says. “The musical theatre students will surprise the audience with some rockette movements, familiar with those that have seen the Radio City Christmas Spectacular.”
According to Van Vliet, the audience can expect a lyrical routine from the younger dancers to the song, “Where Are You, Christmas?” There will be a hip-hop routine to “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer” and another to “Jingle Bells.” The high-school age group will perform a lyrical routine to “Last Christmas.”
“That’s just to name a few!” he continues. “From experience, dancing has helped me with public speaking and communication. It teaches dedication and creativity, not to mention that it provides a safe, fun environment.”
Also performing at Skylands are the following local studios: Dance Dimensions by Michelle, Dance Expression Dance Arts, Dream Xtreme Dance and the Lenahan School of Irish Dance.
For more information, contact Skylands Stadium at (973) 383-7644 or visit http://skylandsstadium.com/christmas-village/.