Sunday our Holiday Company came together to perform our 4th Annual “Step Into Christmas” holiday fundraiser to support Gavin’s Got Heart, an organization that emotionally and financially supports local families of children with congenital heart defects. The event was live-streamed into homes across the country, and was an even bigger labor of love than usual.

The dancers involved auditioned in August, and due to restrictions and precautions that were necessary met for rehearsal every other week for each of their dances. They stayed after classes during the week to run their dances as well, taking every opportunity to make sure their performance would be as clean as possible despite the limitations Covid placed on them. In late November the director and cast of actors were brought in to connect the dances to the story which is one of family and believing in the magic of Christmas.

CM Performing Arts Center in Oakdale worked with our staff to create the safest performance experience available, following their own protocols as well as layering the Dance Connection protocols in as well. It definitely was a different experience in years past but somehow felt all the more important this year due to how much everyone could use a distraction from everything going on, and how much support our local non-profits need during this difficult financial time.

After three private performances for family only and the live-streamed final performance, “Step Into Christmas” was able to raise $1,000 for Gavin’s Got Heart. We are so proud of our Holiday Company for brightening the holidays for their friends, family, and families in need this season. We are also incredibly grateful for the support of our dance families, CM Performing Arts Center, and our staff who all came together to prove that we can make a difference even in the most challenging of times.