Life of the Party

Like any good dance teacher, April Charmaine of the Sol Vida Dance! studio loves to show off her young students at the end of a year of training. But the question this time around was how? “I felt uninspired by the idea of a cookie-cutter recital,” Charmaine says. “I wanted...

By Susan Froyd

May 20, 2010

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Like any good dance teacher, April Charmaine of the Sol Vida Dance! studio loves to show off her young students at the end of a year of training. But the question this time around was how?

“I felt uninspired by the idea of a cookie-cutter recital,” Charmaine says. “I wanted to do something different, and then I went to Guerilla Garden for an opening, and I knew I had to do a show there.” Enthused by the gallery and community-minded headquarters of graffiti artist Jolt, she came up with Festival de Vida, the mother of all recitals, featuring performances by Charmaine’s Sol Vida Youth Tribe and Tribal Tots ensembles and other groups, combined with family-friendly interactive activities, live music, spoken-word performances and an alternative-vendor marketplace. “This is about their passion and giving them a chance to shine,” Charmaine says of her dancers.

The fest runs from 1 to 4 p.m. today at Guerilla Garden, 3821 Steele Street; admission is $5 (kids three and under get in free). Get details at www.solvidadance.com/festival-de-vida.
Sun., May 23, 1-4 p.m., 2010

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Susan Froyd started writing for Westword as the "Thrills" editor in 1992 and never quite left the fold. These days she still freelances for the paper in addition to walking her dogs, enjoying cheap ethnic food and reading voraciously. Sometimes she writes poetry.

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