Blackberry Polo Fundraiser In Support of the Batavia Arts Council and Shakespeare On Clark
We had tremendous fun at the Cique Du Polo themed Blackberry Polo Fundraiser today benefiting the Batavia Arts Council and Shakespeare on Clark!!!! Thank you to everyone who came out to support these awesome organizations!!!!
Music Matters Summer Concert Series
We had a blast yesterday hosting children's activites at the Music Matters summer concert series!! Thank you to everyone who came out to play and dance with us!!
First Place Award Winners for the Batavia Loyalty Day Parade!!
We are so proud to announce...We won first place for our entry in the 2014 Batavia Loyalty Day Parade!!!! And, so very proud that we have won first place every year since 2009!!!
We had so much fun dancing in the streets again in this years parade! Thank you again to the Batavia Overseas Post 1197 for an amazing day!!!!
Batavia Loyalty Day Parade 2014
We had so much fun dancing in the streets again in this years Batavia Loyalty Day Parade! Thank you to the Batavia Overseas Post 1197 for an amazing day!
The Chicago Academy for The Arts accepts Batavia Academy of Dance student Chloe Ricke
Chloe will begin high school at Batavia Academy of Dance founder's alma mater -- CAA
Founded in 1981, CAA is often called the "Fame" school and compared with New York City's High School of Performing Arts.
CAA, designated a National School of Distinction by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, is one of only four high schools in the United States that provides a dedicated arts curriculum alongside conventional academic education. The school is located in the historic school building constructed for St. John Cantius parish.
Anne Gugliuzza, Founder and Artistic Director of Batavia Academy of Dance and a former graduate of CAA, helped Chloe prepare and ready herself for the extensive audition process, which began with the arts audition-dance. Chloe's talent, dedication and hard work helped propel Chloe forward within a large group of talented and passionate auditioning dancers and gained her the ability to continue to the next stage of the audition process.
After completing the several remaining stages of the audition process, including academic review, personal statements, interviews and placement testing, came the seemingly long wait for decision on acceptance. Finally, came the amazing news that Chloe had been accepted! Enabling her to realize a dream that for years seemed only remotely possible.
"As a private institution, it has a strict audition and portfolio admissions policy whereby only prospective students demonstrating an aptitude, potential and dedication to their art are admitted." — Wikipedia
Chloe will commute daily via the train to CAA with her older sister Bella, another Batavia Academy of Dance student accepted to CAA last year. She hopes to inspire and help other B.A.D. students to pursue and achieve their dreams In dance.
Chloe began dancing only five years ago, one of the first students of Batavia Academy of Dance when it opened it's doors in 2009. Chloe's acceptance is a testament to B.A.D.'s dance curriculum, program and faculty, and is truly the realization of a life long dream come true for founder Anne Gugliuzza.
Ballet with World Famous Valery Lantratov
Ballet Master Class with Valery Lantratov
Moscow-born principal ballet dancer with the Moscow Stanislavski and Kremlin ballets and general director of the Russian National Ballet Foundation, Lantratov conducts master classes at B.A.D. every year.
"Chin up, chin up, do not dance in the shadows…"
The concise instruction could be heard throughout Batavia Academy of Dance on this cold January evening that was anything but ordinary. The energy and passion here today is undeniable to those who share the space with world-famous ballet dancer, Valery Lantratov.
Lantratov, the famous first soloist ballet dancer of the Moscow Stanislavski Ballet, taught a master class to a select number of honored Batavia Academy of Dance ballet students. This world-renowned Russian ballet dancer is also known for his flawless roles in Copellia, Romeo and Juliet, Don Quixote, with one of his greatest accomplishments having been awarded the highest artistic honor in 1997 by the Russian Federation.
It is not every day one has an opportunity to be taught by such an esteemed ballet dancer. Selina Costabile, a dancer joining the studio at a very exciting time said "This is the first time I got to meet him, I was very excited and really looked forward to it!"
The world-renowned Russian dancer exudes a great reverence for the hard work and progress he can see the dancers are making here.
An ecstatic and humbled Anne Gugliuzza, founder and artistic director of Batavia Academy of Dance, explains, "We follow the Vaganova (Russian) technique in our studio and to have Valery Lantratov acknowledge the work we are doing here is amazing."
"He's so personable and warm, great with the kids and this is a wonderful cultural experience for the dancers."
So the saying goes, Greatness inspires greatness. Those words are certainly echoed here, within the walls of Batavia Academy of Dance where young men and women aspire to be great not just in the studio, but with the hope and intention of dancing with greatness into all aspects of life.
2013 Holiday PajamaRama Party
We had a blast at our annual holiday pajamarama movie party in our new custom pajammies!!!! Can't wait to do it again next year!!
Celebration of Lights
It was another magical evening of live dancing windows as we celebrated another celebration of lights here in Batavia! See you next year :)
Ugly Sweater Holiday Decorating Party
Congratulations to Chloe!! Winner of our 2013 Ugliest Holiday Sweater!!
BatFest
Thank you to ask who came out to help today!! Your help made Batfest amazing and truly magical!! Lots of love and gratitude!!! Feeling very blessed ♡
Block Party Festival
What an amazing Block Party Festival this year!! We had an amazing time hosting activities on River Street and then performing at the Peg Bond Center!! Thank you to everyone who came out and danced in the streets with us!!! See you next year!!
Loyalty Day Parade
We love Loyalty Day Parade!!! Thank you to the Batavia Overseas Post VFW 1197 for hosting such an amazing and fun day!!!
We are sooooo proud to announce, We won first place for our parade performance and entry!!!! Thank you everyone!!!!
B.A.D. to be featured on BATV's Out on the Town
To be aired mid March, Out on the Town features hosts Jeff Matter and Joi Cuartero taking a Ballroom class at Batavia Academy of Dance.
Books vs. Badges Half-Time Show in support of the Batavia Fireworks Fund
We had a blast performing in the Books vs. Badges half-time show in support of our amazing publicly funded fireworks display!!!
The Chicago Academy for The Arts accepts Batavia Academy of Dance student Isabella Ricke
Bella will begin high school at Batavia Academy of Dance founder's alma mater -- CAA
Founded in 1981, CAA is often called the "Fame" school and compared with New York City's High School of Performing Arts.
CAA, designated a National School of Distinction by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, is one of only four high schools in the United States that provides a dedicated arts curriculum alongside conventional academic education. The school is located in the historic school building constructed for St. John Cantius parish.
"As a private institution, it has a strict audition and portfolio admissions policy whereby only prospective students demonstrating an aptitude, potential and dedication to their art are admitted." — Wikipedia
Anne Gugliuzza, Founder and Artistic Director of Batavia Academy of Dance and a former graduate of CAA, helped Bella prepare and ready herself for the extensive audition process, which began with the arts audition-dance. Bella's talent, dedication and hard work help propel Bella forward within a large group of talented and passionate auditioning dancers and gained her the ability to continue to the next stage of the audition process.
After completing the several remaining stages of the audition process, including academic review, personal statements, interviews and placement testing, came the seemingly long wait for decision on acceptance. Finally, came the amazing news that Bella not only had been accepted, she received an extremely generous tuition assistance and academic scholarship! All enabling her to realize a dream that for years seemed only remotely possible.
Bella will commute daily via the train to CAA and remain in Batavia, active with Batavia Academy of Dance and hopes to inspire and help other B.A.D. students to pursue and achieve their dreams In dance.
Bella began dancing only three years ago, one of the first students of Batavia Academy of Dance when it opened it's doors in 2009. Bella's acceptance is a testament to B.A.D.'s dance curriculum, program and faculty, and truly the realization of a life long dream come true for founder Anne Gugliuzza.
Celebration of Lights Festival
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 25 2012
We kicked off the holiday in dramatic style.
Batavia's ceremonial tree lighting on Sunday was the perfect venue for us to begin our holiday tradition this year with our brand new Magical World of Dance boutique.
"This looks like Michigan Avenue" said Mrs. Schielke as she accompanied the Mayor on their visit before attending the tree lighting. Downtown Batavia was aglow as several dancers performed in our Christmas window display. Inside, guests were greeted and took pictures with characters from the Nutcracker — our very own sugar plum fairies read Christmas stories. Shoppers won prizes and received exclusive discounts. It was a beautiful and magical way to ring in the holidays.
Grand Re-Opening Celebration Introducting The Magical World of Dance
What an amazing day of celebration today as we unveiled and introduced our Magical World of Dance Boutique and additional classroom facilities!!! We are truly blessed and fortunate to be in this magical city and surrounded by so much love and support!!! Thank you to everyone who joined us for this magical occasion!!!
BatFest and Zombie Walk
Batavia Batfest 2012
A sneak peak at our new Magical World of Dance Boutique.
Batavia's annual Batfest was a perfect occasion for us to introduce Batavia to our newly expanded space including our dance retail boutique and additional classroom space.
It was an exceptionally beautiful October afternoon when our competition dance team and dance students taught the princesses, goblins and frankenstien monsters the monster mash at the Batavia Peg Bond Center along the riverwalk.
Just a block away across the river, trick-or-treaters were wowed this year by ballerinas and jazz dancers in the windows of our newly opened dance studio and boutique. Many kids looked as if they'd never seen anything quite like our sparkly and beautiful dancers in their elevated glass stages. Many parents were equally in awe discovering our studio for the first time despite having been on the upper floor since 2009.
"We are elated at the opportunity to showcase our accomplished dancers as a testament to our incredible program and faculty." — Anne Gugliuzza, Founder and Artistic Director
We'd love nothing more than to inspire someone into the amazing world of dance and see them in the window inspiring others some day.
It was a tremendous fun day as we hosted trick or treating at the Academy, taught the Monster Mash at the Riverwalk, and then performed our infamous Thriller production at Zombie Walk!!! Cannot wait til next year!!!
Read All About Our Zombie Invasion in the Kane Co. Chronicle
Zombies to roam in Batavia
Published: Friday, Oct. 19, 2012 5:30 a.m. CDT • Updated: Friday, Oct. 19, 2012 4:15 p.m. CDT
(Sandy Bressner - sbressner@shawmedia.com)
By ASHLEY RHODEBECK - arhodebeck@shawmedia.com
BATAVIA – Watching a sea of people dressed as zombies dancing in downtown Batavia last October was, as Joi Cuartero described, “really quite a sight.”
This year, the Batavia MainStreet executive director said she thinks the zombie crowd for Saturday’s BatFest will be bigger than last year’s few hundred.
Although the evening Zombie Walk is geared toward the teen and adult crowd, Cuartero said the annual autumn festival includes several daytime activities for children.
“BatFest is our free family event,” she said. “We have kids activities and games, some entertainment on the main stage. We’ve got a costume contest, tractor-pull hayrides.”
Held downtown rain or shine, BatFest – which advertises “a frightfully good time” – begins at 10 a.m. with a pumpkin roll, farmers market and games. Children can trick-or-treat at more than a dozen businesses along River Street, Wilson Street, Island Avenue and Batavia Avenue.
New this year is the River City Church photo booth, where kids can get their picture taken and make a frame for the photo, Cuartero said. It will be at the MainStreet tent.
Other daytime activities include stories and songs at 11:15 a.m. at Batavia Public Library and an 11:45 a.m. Halloween parade guided by the Batavia Mothers’ Club with a police escort.
Zombie Walk registration and zombie makeovers for the first 300 participants are set from noon to 2 p.m. at the Riverwalk.
The cost is $10 and includes walk participation, the zombie makeover and a raffle ticket for zombie-related prizes. Additional raffle tickets cost $1 each or $5 for six.
The walk benefits Batavia Music Buffs, S.T.A.G.E. booster organizations, Studio – Batavia visual arts booster – and Batavia MainStreet.
Starting at 4 p.m., Zombie Walk participants are to gather at one of three quarantine zones – Music Matters on Wilson Street, Nyborg and Company on Webster Street and the Old Church on McKee Street.
The walk is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. Volunteers will lead the three groups on different routes to the Peg Bond Center.
“The best time to see everything would be right before 6 p.m., when they all come up Island Avenue,” Cuartero said.
Makeup and certain clothes – those that are tattered and dirty – will help participants look the part, she said, but slow movements are also key to sell the appearance of being a traditional zombie.
“We have a lot of excited teenagers who want to get [to the Peg Bond Center] right away,” she said.
A zombie dance party will be at the Peg Bond Center after the walk. The Batavia Academy of Dance will teach the dance to Michael Jackson’s “Thriller.”
Visit www.downtownbatavia.com or call 630-761-3528 for information.