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I never realized Disney had so many opportunities for youth until I started writing about them. In fact, there’s a whole subsection of the company devoted to the concept: Disney Youth Programs. Someday soon I’ll have to spend a while on its official website and tell you all about it, but for now I want to focus on something specific: Disney STEP Classic.
The 2012 dates for the Disney STEP Classic performances have just been announced, so now’s the time to sign up and start preparing if you or someone you know is interested. But for those not in the know: what is STEP Classic?
Step is a style of dance wherein footwork reigns supreme. Movements by the arms or the rest of the body are secondary; the emphasis is placed on the rhythmic and sometimes complicated footwork. Disney’s STEP Classic is an exhibition for step teams around the country. It’s not a competition, but a time for lovers of step to come together and (one of Disney’s favorite key words) celebrate their art form.
Performances aren’t exactly judged, but there are evaluation panels. The job of these not-quite-judges is to give constructive feedback so that dancers can improve their work. Further education opportunities are provided through watching others’ performances and through the Master STEP workshop, which focuses on the technical aspects of the dance.
For all that STEP Classic is sponsored by Disney Youth Programs, it doesn’t seem limited to teenagers. Groups can sign up to perform under one of two age divisions: 18 and up and 19 and under. The former is described as being for groups from community colleges, fraternities/sororities, and community/club teams, and the latter for community centers and public school teams.
Next year’s STEP Classic will be held on February 18 and 19 at Disney Hollywood Studios in Disney World. Ticket information will soon be available for those not in step teams who want to just go and enjoy the show. Plenty of registration information is available, however, for teams looking to sign up for the event.
While groups do have to find their own transportation to and from Orlando, Disney World has set aside a block of rooms at Disney’s All-Star Sports Resort for participants. The rate for four-person rooms per night is $88.14. There is also a registration fee, though the price for the 2012 event has not yet been announced.
In the meantime to reserve a spot for your group, fill out the pre-registration form available on the STEP Classic website. Also available are the release forms for minors and adults and the Step Classic packages information form from the 2010 event. All of the information might not line up exactly with what will be announced for 2012, but it will give teams an idea of what’s on offer, including the deals for which they can sign up for visiting the various Disney World Parks.
For further information, check out the official Disney STEP Classic website or call 407-566-6652.
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Art Show Coming to Downtown Disney
The Disneyfication of the Olympics
*(This image by Drew And Merissa is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.5 License.)
