About The Event
On April 21, 2012 over 1200 Latter-day Saint youth and their friends will be performing dances that have been popular over the past hundred years of Arizona’s statehood. They will be celebrating the history of Arizona through dance. Their performance will be at Mesa High School’s football stadium, and all the youth who perform, now attend or will attend Mesa High in the next few years.
This performance has been in the making for almost a year. On January 8th, 2012 the youth will be involved in a kick-off fireside where they will be encouraged to develop their gifts and talents by working hard, being self-disciplined, and focusing on goals they make to enrich their lives.
Dance practices begin for many of the youth in January. Others will begin their practices in March. But all will have opportunity to experience not only the thrill of accomplishment as they see themselves master difficult dance moves, but they will develop bonds of friendship as they work together in a monumental team effort.
The dances were choreographed by professional dance instructors who have long understood the power of praising the Lord through wholesome music and dance. These choreographers have taught the dances to dedicated dance instructors who will teach the youth the dances they will perform. Their service and all the service rendered in behalf of this performance was willingly given without monetary compensation. The costume committee has designed and made patterns, and will sew hundreds of costumes before the April performance. The videographers have videoed and cut and spliced and edited….and will yet video and cut and splice and edit to capture the performance at it’s best. The Publicity committee has spent hours on publicizing and designing the web page. Sound and stage have shared not only their expertise, but their equipment and countless hours of preparation to bring the sound that will make the music come alive with excitement. The food committee has planned and budgeted food that will keep even the hungriest of teenagers energized during our all-day Saturday practices…not to mention the menu to be served during the cast party after the performance. Our security team has met and will continue to meet until everything is worked out for the safety and well-being of the performers and their guests. And of course the youth involved will bring their contagious energy and excitement into the practices and performance that will keep all of us dedicated to the success of the event.
This is a multi-generational undertaking. Grandparents, parents, young adults and our youth are coming together to make this Dancentennial 2012 a once in a lifetime experience for our youth. We love them, and we all agree that they are worth every minute, hour, and effort given.
We hope you will join us Saturday, April 21 at the Mesa High School’s football stadium. It will be an experience you will long remember.
Cecil and Linda Ash
Chairmen