Monday Park Playbook: Dance! Bailas! Tańczysz!

Is your little prima ballerina using everything in your house as a barre? Does she leap down the hall? Tap her toes in the kitchen? Wear her tutu like a uniform? Have no fear! It’s time to dance at the Des Plaines Park District. This Saturday, September 7, from 9:00am until 3:00pm, dancers are invited to a free class and a meet and greet with the instructors at the Leisure Center Dance Studio.

Here’s our schedule:

Adults:        9:00-10:00am          Ballet Barre & Hip-Hop Cardio

Ages 3-5:    10:15-11:15am        Ballet & Teeny Bop

Ages 6-8:    11:30am-12:30pm   Ballet, Mini Modern, Hip-Hop

Ages 9-11:  12:45-1:45pm          Contemporary, Jazz, Tap

Ages 12+:   2:00-3:00pm            Contemporary, Jazz, Tap

Parents are encouraged to stay, observe class and speak with the instructors after each session. We have the perfect dance class for every Martha, Mikhail, Anna, and Rudolph. Our Tots in Motion Program is for young dancers ages 18 months to five years and our Performance Program features nine months of instruction culminating in a recital at Prairie Lakes Theatre. Everybody dance now!

Ready to rock it? Take everything you have learned in these classes and strut your stuff at Fiesta!, the annual Mexican Independence Day celebration at Lake Park from 2:00-7:00pm. Enjoy traditional Mexican music, authentic dancing, easy-to-make crafts for kids, and delicious foods. All of the activities and the entertainment are free; food is available for purchase.

For more information about programs and events at the Des Plaines Park District, visit www.DPParks.org or call 847-391-5700. The Leisure Center is located at 2222 Birch St. Lake Park is located at 2200 Lee Street, between Touhy Avenue and Howard Street.

Save the Date: September 13-15: Fall Fest, the three-day family friendly festival at Lake Park, returns with free admission, free parking, and free concerts; a full carnival with rides, games and a kid’s midway; delicious food and beverages, including beer and a European-style Wine Garden; a KidZone! with crafts, pony rides, entertainment, and the Interactive PlayZone; adult bags tournaments; a custom car show; a Chamber of Commerce Consumer Expo; a fishing derby; a History Center Country Fair Tent with costumed interpreters; and some of the best bands around. For more information visit www.FallFestDesPlaines.com.

See you around the parks.