This year’s week-long movement celebration is all about community participation, taking over downtown Santa Cruz with highly anticipated pop-up performances on the streets and in “unlikely places.”

Abra Allan, founder and director of Santa Cruz Dance Week, says that this year organizers are stepping back to let the community of dancers take the lead.

Kathak, an ancient storytelling tradition of traveling bards in northern India, and contra dance will make their debut at the kick-off event, “Dancing in the Streets,” on April 20—where there may be an extra large birthday cake for the 10-year anniversary, says Allan.

Throughout the day, dancers from all different studios will perform on three stages set up in downtown Santa Cruz—an evening of more than 50 performances from every imaginable genre. For those looking to let go, the Community Ecstatic Dance Party will take place on April 20.

Whether as creativity, fitness, fun, socializing, or spiritual practice, she says, there is a deep love of self-expression through movement in Santa Cruz.

Please visit www.scdanceweek.com for more information. Celebrate Santa Cruz Dance's 10 Year Anniversary!