7th Annual Bargain Costume Closet

Children’s Dance Foundation (CDF) is excited to host the seventh-annual Bargain Costume Closet this Sunday, September 18,2011, 2-4pm at CDF.   You can expect to find an array of costumes, dancewear, dress-up clothes, shoes and accessories,  at bargain prices that have been donated from individuals, dance studios and groups from across the country.  What better time to save money on Halloween and dance essentials than now?!

And, you have a chance to shop early!  When you make a donation to the Closet, you will receive a receipt for your taxes as well as a pass to shop before the crowd on the day of the sale.  But, please bring your donations of gently-used dance and Halloween costumes, dress-up clothes and dance wear to CDF before Sept. 17^th.

100 percent of the funds raised will be used for CDF’s community-based programs including the Community Partnership Program.  This Program provides dance education to more than 1,000 children each week at more than 20 social service agencies, child development centers, preschools and elementary schools in Birmingham.  The Program is designed to engage students and educators in on-going, creative dance experiences that foster skills, confidence and community.  Many of these students face physical, mental or emotional challenges or are considered underserved or “at-risk.”  And, for many, it is their only opportunity to participate in a dance class.

CDF’s mission is to provide comprehensive dance education to all, enriching the spirit, enlivening the imagination and celebrating community.   All of CDF’s programs are grounded in the belief that dance is a valuable learning tool for all ages and should be accessible for all…that dance is a foundation for life and learning.

Featured Community Partner – J. R. 1 Child Development Center

The J.R. I Child Development Center opened its doors in September 2006 and that same fall Children’s Dance Foundation was invited to bring movement and music to their students.  The kids at J.R. I come from a variety of backgrounds, with most of the children coming from low income families.
This past year  CDF teaching artist Susie Long had the pleasure of  teaching CDF’s Movement-to-Music curriculum at J.R. I.  She shared, “I always looked forward to Tuesday mornings when I went to teach at J.R. I.  The children there are eager, bright, and energetic.  As Matt, the musician that I formerly worked with there, said, ‘It is impossible to have a bad day when you get to spend time with these kids.’ Each week I would hear them approaching the room chanting ‘CDF, CDF!’  We tried to put all that energy to good use by working on galloping, tiptoeing, stretching, marching and jumping.  It was neat to see that by the end of the school year, they weren’t merely jumping from spot to spot on the floor, but jumping sideways and backwards too!”
The Movement to Music curriculum encourages  the kids at J.R. 1 to be creative and to experience dance classes that they might not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in.
Janiessa Smith-Waller. Director at J.R. I, said “We had a child recently who had a hard time adjusting to being in our program because he hadn’t had much social interaction with other children his age.  Attending CDF classes was very relaxing for him and allowed him to begin to engage.”

CDF has really enjoyed our partnership with J.R. I for the past 5 years, and we hope it continues for  years to come.
The J.R. I Child Development Center, sponsored by the James Rushton I Foundation, strives to provide the highest quality care and developmentally appropriate activities to children of all backgrounds.  For more information on the J.R. I Child Development Center and the James Rushton I Foundation please visit http://www.jr1cdc.org/