Celebrate The Beat 2015

If there is one activity in the world that Alex would choose to do forever it would most likely be "dance".  With very little background, she gets in there, quickly learns the choreography and moves easily from beat to beat.  It amazes me every time I see her at practice and perform.  A genetic gift from her mom I would guess.  The Colorado based, not-for-profit organization, Celebrate The Beat, again brought their program to hundreds of children in the area this winter.  Teaching artist, choreographer and force of nature, Colleen Macomber, arrived once again to teach school aged kids in the communities of Punta Mita, Higuera Blanca, San Ignacio, Sayulita and San Pancho.  Though we live in Sayulita, Alex rejoined her group from last year from San Pancho.

Celebrate The Beat's mission is to teach inspirational music and dance classes that help children discover their potential by motivating them to believe in themselves, to value artistic expression, and to develop a personal standard of excellence.  This year's theme was "Rivers of the World".  Each dance group, represented by colored T-shirts, had their own river to represent in a performance at San Pancho's Plaza del Sol .

The photo above does not even include all of the kids included in the performance.  There were also 30 or so smaller children who were off to the side and in front of the stage.

I wish Alex could work with Colleen regularly during the year.  She would love it and get so much out of the high quality instruction she provides.  We just hope Celebrate the Beat returns to the area again next year.  The major sponsor they had for our local program in Mexico had to step down this year.  It is a substantial investment each year to run this fantastic opportunity for the kids.  If you can help the program continue, please contact them or us.  Hundreds of smiling kids in this area of Mexico would really appreciate it.