Why You Should Become A Sustaining Member
I was a 4-year-old when I began my education with The Vanaver Caravan. During Creative Movement class with Livia, I learned--in my whole body--about the growing cycle of plants, the changing of seasons, and how to understand and respect the feelings of my tiny peers. As we grew up, we learned...
Photo by Meredith Heuer.
The Real Impact Of A Caravan Education
I was 4-years-old when I began my education with The Vanaver Caravan. During Creative Movement class with Livia, I learned--in my whole body--about the growing cycle of plants, the changing of seasons, and how to understand and respect the feelings of my tiny peers. As we grew up, we learned pieces of history that do not get passed down in textbooks: stories that can only be told through movement and song. We learned to look with curiosity at customs that seemed different from our own. And, we learned to trust our bodies without shame.
I have continued to learn, love, and proudly pour my love back into this Company. But it is more than sheer sentimental attachment that brings me back, time-and-again, to the unique work and mission of The Vanaver Caravan. For years, I have watched this company strive to make a good and lasting impact on the world's communities.
Photo by Meredith Heuer.
Today, as our Fall fund drive begins, my goal is simple: by Giving Tuesday, November 28th, I want you to become one of the Monthly Sustaining Members of The Vanaver Caravan. If you are reading this, you are part of The Vanaver Caravan's global community and it is very likely that The Company made an impact on you, however small or large. We are asking you to do the same: to contribute and make an impact, however small or large.
Humor me for a moment. I'd like you to take a close look at our mission statement:
“Recognizing that the arts often communicate what words fail to express, the mission of The Vanaver Caravan is to inspire, through dance and music, the harmonious co-existence of world cultures and traditions, to promote peace and celebrate our humanity. We envision a world where people understand and respect one another – where our differences unite rather than divide us. ”
I speak for myself when I say this: we need this mission today more than we ever have before. The words above are not some lofty dream. Livia and Bill Vanaver have made it come to fruition with every song and dance that they have ever learned, performed, or passed on in their teachings--for almost 50 years.
I do not want my education and that of my peers to be some unique, unaccessible dream for other children. I want The Vanaver Caravan to have the means to share this work in schools, theaters, and festivals across the globe.
We need the children and adults of this world to learn to trust their bodies without shame, celebrate differences, and come to understand and respect the feelings of others. Imagine a world where all the grown-ups running things today had been given the opportunity to learn the values this company teaches. What a different world that would be, wouldn't it?
When you contribute to The Vanaver Caravan, you make possible the work we need to do--on a local, national, and international level--in order to fully realize this mission. Whether you give $3, $5, $10, $20 a month or make a one-time (tax deductible) donation, your part in this matters.
Take action. Give back to your global community. It means the world.
Photo by Meredith Heuer.
Fall Performance Previews
As the leaves change, The Vanaver Caravan is in a flurry of motion preparing for a full fall season of teaching, learning, and professional touring.
As the leaves change, The Vanaver Caravan is in a flurry of motion preparing for a full Fall season of teaching, learning, and professional touring.
THE COMPANY
The Company rehearsing to Pete Seeger's war protest song, "Big Muddy" from Turn Turn Turn. Image Copyright Lois Greenfield 2017.
The Company is preparing our newest production, Turn Turn Turn: Celebrating Pete Seeger in Dance & Music for a year of performances (keep your ears perked for tour dates!).
Looking to liven up up your Monday evening? Come see a short preview of the show.
What: THE NYS Presenters' Fall Arts Forum Performing Arts Showcase.
WHEN: This Monday Sept 25th - 7:30pm
WHERE: The Egg, Albany (1 Empire State Plaza, S Mall Arterial, Albany, NY 12203)
ADMISSION: FREE!
THE DANCE INSTITUTE:
Youth Company Graduates: Neve Parker & Alena Brocker, and dancer, Amelia Verderosa, perform "The Tarantella" at the Italian Festival. Kingston, NY, 2013.
FallDance classes are underway. This semester, Caravan Kids & Youth Company dancers are preparing new world dance repertoire for fall festivals and Holiday shows.
Catch the Caravan Kids in their first performance of the season!
WHAT: The Ulster County Italian American Foundation's Italian Festival
WHEN: Sunday Oct 8th, 11Am-7pm (Rain Or Shine)
Where: The Kingston Waterfront
ADmission: Free!
>>>Most classes are nearly full, but there is still one week left to register for FallDance.
Hey Community! We Thrive Because of You.
Make A One Time or Recurring Tax Deductible Donation Today!
Wishing You A Happy Autumn!
FallDance 2017
THE VANAVER CARAVAN DANCE INSTITUTE CLASSES BEGIN SEPTEMBER 11, 2017
In New Paltz and Stone Ridge - For dancers age four - teens
Creative Movement, Modern Dance, Percussive, Repertory
Lois Greenfield
Upcoming Performances
- 8/6/17 SDoT Performance at Bon Oduri Festival at Kingston Point Park. SDoT performance at 6:00 pm. Festival takes place from 11-7. Free.
- 8/7/17 SDoT Site Specific Performance, Community Dance and Picnic, Opus 40, Saugerties. Come have a picnic in this majestic outdoor venue at 4:00 pm, followed at 5:00 pm with a performance and dance. $15 at the door. (raindate 8/8/17).
- 8/9/17 SDoT Performance at Woodland Pond, New Paltz, 2:00 pm
- 8/10/17 TVC Performance at Mohonk Mountain House, New Paltz. Private for guests.
- 8/11/17 SDoT Site Specific, Outside Performance at Montgomery Place, Annandale-on-Hudson. By donation at the door.
- 8/12/17 SDoT Performance at the Rail Trail Cafe, New Paltz, at noon.
- 8/13/17 SDoT Performance and film featuring "Stomp" at Dance Film Sunday, Rosendale Theatre, 3:00 pm. $15 at the door.
"Back from India" Exhibit and more!
Our classes may have come to an end for the semester, but we haven't stopped dancing!
We would like to thank our beautiful students (and their caregivers) for their focus and hard work, and for giving us the opportunity to have "serious fun" as Liv always says!
Our classes may have come to an end for the semester, but we haven't stopped dancing!
We would like to thank our beautiful students (and their caregivers) for their focus and hard work, and for giving us the opportunity to have "serious fun" as Liv always says!
In other news, keep an eye out for our upcoming events!
- Join us on May 18 from 5:00 - 7:00 pm for Bill's "Back from India" gallery exhibit opening at The Bakery in New Paltz.
- The Clearwater Festival is back! We will be dancing and singing on June 17 - 18 at Clearwater.
For more information, check out their website here.
- It's that time again. The days are getting warmer, plants are blooming, and we're readying ourselves for our summer programs!
CaravanKids Workshop: July 17 - 21
SummerDance on Tour: July 24 - August 13 (three weeks)
Dust off those tap shoes and register here!