Dancing and music by local artists to raise money for the Maple Valley Creative Arts Council may be the perfect combination.
Jessica Hamblen-Klepper has worked to coordinate the second Dance for the Creative Arts event set for 7 p.m. Saturday, May 21, at Kentlake’s Performing Arts Center, 21401 Se 300th St., Kent.
Hamblen-Klepper, owner and director of the Maple Valley School of Ballet, first organized a dance fundraiser for the arts council in 2009. While it has not yet become an annual tradition she hopes it does from here.
“It’s really something we wanted to do last year but for various reasons we couldn’t,” she said. “We really just wanted it to be an annual event celebrating arts and dance in the community.”
This year’s event has had two different incarnations. When circumstances required moving the date up the performance line up changed.
“What was nice about that is Maple Valley Youth Symphony Orchestra is now able to participate,” Hamblen-Klepper said.
In addition to performances by her students, Hambler-Kleppen said, there will be dance and music performances that will incorporate classical pieces as well as ballet, modern dance and jazz.
Maple Valley School of Ballet dancers will perform two pieces.
“One is a group of young dancers ages 9 to 12 doing a modern dance piece that they have helped choreograph,” Hambler-Kleppen said. “We are also presenting a longer piece for our older dancers which is to music from composers such as Brahms, Beethoven and Bach and a few others.”
A pair of Maple Valley residents, Megan Brooks and Ella Howell, who train at 127th Street Dance in Seattle will perform in a piece that will feature live drummer. The piece was choreographed by Rochelle Rapaszky.
And MVYSO will have a pair of ensembles performing, a flute ensemble and a string ensemble, Hambler-Kleppen said.
The inspiration came to Hambler-Kleppen after her school was invited to participate in the Dance of Hope in Kirkland a few years ago.
“It was such a great experience because there were so many groups participating,” she said. “So many groups were participating and we were able to raise money for so many nice charities it seemed like it would be a nice thing for our area.”
A fundraiser that supports the MVCAC seemed like it “would be a nice fit.”
Mary Jane Glaser, president of the arts council, is excited to see the dance benefit return.
“I’m just so grateful that she wants to support us and the arts,” Glaser said. “It’s going to be a great show.”
Tickets for the event are $15 for adults and $8 for seniors and students.
More information is available on the arts council’s website, www.maplevalleyarts.com. Click on the “Dance for the Creative Arts” image on the main page to register in advance.
Reach Kris Hill at khill@maplevalleyreporter.com or 425-432-1209 ext. 5054.
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