On Saturday, June 17, USA Dance Hattiesburg-Laurel, Mississippi, Chapter #6116 held a special dance at the Jackie Dole Sherrill Community Center in the heart of Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
Dancers filled the 5000-square-foot auditorium of this spacious venue as part of the inaugural event of 2023 FestivalSouth. The festival is a multi-disciplinary arts celebration that primarily features exceptional performing and visual artists during the month of June in Hattiesburg. Throughout the year, the community provides events as part of a larger FestivalFamily of offerings which includes multiple genres.
FestivalSouth is the largest project of the local Hattiesburg Concert Association and is an annual, multi-week festival presenting a variety of musical and other arts-related entertainment that aims to transcend social, cultural, and economic lines.
The theme for the evening was “The Art of Social Dancing,” and attendees included dancers who traveled from as far as New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jackson, Mississippi; the Alabama coast; and Kentucky. Dance Instructors included Rebecca Chandler of Hattiesburg; James Heath of Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Lynae Jacob and David Anderson of Pascagoula, Mississippi. The instructors were not alone, as they brought students, friends, and family to join the locals and fill the floor.
The USA Dance Chapter partnered with Hattiesburg’s own Twin Forks Wine and Provisions to offer tasty treats which included fruit and cheese lunch boxes. And the Hattiesburg Coca-Cola Bottling Company generously donated the beverages.
“Thank you, everyone, for accepting our invitation to dance,” said USA Dance Board Member Joan Brady. “We hope to see you on the dance floor again many times over!”
It is tremendous that USA Dance Chapter #6116 continues to be part of this event. FestivalSouth is presented each year by the Hattiesburg Concert Association, which is supported by funding from the Mississippi Arts Commission, a state agency, and in part, from the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency.
“FestivalSouth does a lot of advertising in this area,” said Joan. “So, I’m hoping that will raise awareness of our chapter.”
Congratulations to the USA Dance members who participated. Community working with community, and a fun time was had by all!!!
USA Dance Hattiesburg-Laurel Chapter #6116 is very active with classes, performance groups, socials, parades, and other events throughout the year. USA Dance is lucky to have them promoting dance in Southern Mississippi!!!! Check out their Facebook Page.
