BYU’s dance clubs on campus are coming together for a Global Dance Fusion fundraiser event for Promethean Spark International, a non-profit organization that focuses on teaching important life skills through dance to impoverished youth around the world. This will be a part of BYU’s Care Week.
The 2nd annual Global Dance Fusion event will involve nine BYU dance clubs and will take place on Friday Nov. 20, 2015 at the Wilkinson Student Center Ballroom. Each club will offer 30 minute dance tutorials from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. followed by a short performance by each club and will end with a dance battle and party to follow from 9:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. There will also be items to bid on and a drawing for an iPad during the event.
Head coordinator for Global Dance Fusion, Bayleigh Cragun, said one of the most important things to know about the fundraiser event is that Promethean Spark International does not just teach dance, they teach vital skills that help break the cycle of poverty.
“People don’t realize dance teaches you focus, determination, confidence and willingness to keep going,” Cragun said. “It’s not just dance, but you learn important life skills.”
Steven Glenn, coordinator for Global Dance Fusion and member of BYU Capoeira club, said Promethean Spark International helps impoverished youth by breaking down mental blocks and inspiring change within them. Glenn said the mental blocks that keep people from doing well in school or in their careers and family life are similar to the mental blocks that stop people from trying hard at dance.
“You can’t just take kids from an impoverished area and put them in a classroom and expect them to do well. They need to learn these life skills somehow,” Glenn said. “The dance workshops help teach them that just by applying themselves they can be successful in other things also, whether it is school, their career or with their families.”
Glenn said people can contribute to Promethean Spark International in other ways if they cannot attend the Global Dance Fusion event.
“If you can’t come Friday, you can also get involved by making a donation online as well as volunteering to be one of Promethean Spark’s dance instructors,” Glenn said.
James Ashdown, President of the Swing Kids Dance Club and coordinator for Global Dance Fusion, said that he encourages all to come and learn dance and give back.
“You don’t have to be a good dancer to come to the event or be a part of the different dance clubs,” Ashdown said. ” It’s just great knowing we are promoting dance and raising money for a good cause.”
All those who plan to attend the event can purchase tickets at the Information desk at the Wilkinson Student Center for $5 or online at eventtickets.byu.edu. All proceeds will go to Promethean Spark International.
