National Gathering News

DACI USA GATHERING

DACI HEADS TO HOPE AND HOLLAND IN 2023!

The 7th daCi Nth ational Gathering in July 2023 may seem far in the future….but it’s not! Special events have a way of sneaking up on us!

daCi National Gatherings are unique four-day experiences for people –- both children and adults, youth dance companies and individual participants -– who are drawn to dance. Classes, workshops and performances all contribute to artistic expression and exuberant good times. From July 26 – 30 we will gather at Hope College in the vibrant small city of Holland in western Michigan. The Gathering chair is Nicki Flinn, Associate Professor of Dance at Hope College and a vital force for dance in the region.

The events will take place on Hope’s beautiful campus, home to 3300 students and a thriving dance program. Hope is big enough to have six dance spaces and a historic theater available for daCi, yet compact enough that the dorms for daCi attendees and the downtown area are just a block away.

The area was originally home to the Ottawa Indians. Dutch immigrants arrived in 1846 and established the town of Holland. The downtown is on the National Registry of Historic Places and is full of locally owned shops, restaurants and galleries.

Dance is not the only activity that will be on offer. Before or after the Gathering, take advantage of Holland’s many natural resources and manmade attractions. A quick ten minute drive will take you to the sparkling shores of an inland sea, otherwise known as Lake Michigan, the largest freshwater lake within the U.S. The lake is so big (it’s the size of West Virginia) that its tides cause waves! And big dunes! You can go dune hiking or take dune buggy rides. In town, there is the Aquatic Center, the Dutch Village, and big perennial gardens to visit.

Multiple routes lead to Holland. For those coming from far away, the closest airport is in Grand Rapids, about 35 minutes away. It serves multiple carriers and is a hub for Southwest Airlines. Both Chicago and Detroit are 2½ hour drives away. Amtrak runs train service directly to Holland from Chicago.

So start your planning and see you in Michigan in July 2023!

FUN FACT: THE KNICKERBOCKER THEATER

The Knickerbocker Theater where daCi participants will be performing, is a former vaudeville house. The famous illusionist and escape artist Harry Houdini performed there in the 1920s! Holland is home to the world's largest pickle factory. The H.J. Heinz Company has been in Holland since 1897 and currently processes over 1 million pounds of pickles per day. Who knew?

FUN FACT: PICKLE FACTORY

Planning is well underway for Anchored in Hope: Expanding Horizons, a creative, fun, and dance-filled experience for movers of all ages next July 26 - 30. The opening ceremony on the first evening will be a celebration of dance in Michigan and the Holland community including Dutch dancers, Folklorico, StrikeTime Dance Theatre, local school dance programs, professional dance companies and more. Throughout the event participants will take many classes that build movement skills, unlock creativity and promote new perspectives and experiences. Each evening participants will showcase their work with the daCi USA and Holland communities.

Along with dancing, there will be opportunities to meet new people, see popup performances around campus, explore Holland's downtown and Michigan's lakeshore. daCi USA is excited to welcome each of you to the 7 Gathering and hopes that you will expand your horizons and make enduring dance memories!

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"My dancers were able to experience new forms of dance while also sharing their own skills and ideas with other dancers. It was an opportunity for everyone to try new things, grow, and develop as a dancer.

Visit our website for more details!

www.daciusa.org/hope2023

Sample Schedule

Classes available

Call for Performances

Registration and Pricing

Maps

Scholarships

Things to do in Holland

"I learned so many things...But I especially loved working with my core group instructor... He encouraged me to do things that I thought I couldn't do... he encouraged us to reach further...He created beautiful dance, and good friendships, too.

Henry, Age 13: 6th National Gathering, 2017

The daCi USA Board of Directors is delighted to announce a grant from the Cooper-Newell Foundation to support scholarships for the July 2023 daCi USA 7 National Gathering in Holland, Michigan. The organization is committed to assisting as many scholarship applicants as possible by covering the Gathering registration fees. The scholarships will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis so it is advisable to apply as early as possible. The scholarship fund is available to all individual members of daCi USA and those affiliated through group/family or institutional memberships. This includes Youth, College Students, Adults (19+), and Chaperones. One-to-one dance partners of participants with disabilities are eligible to apply for scholarships. Scholarships are not available to nonmembers.

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APPLICATION PROCESS

Fill out the google form at this link to submit your application. The priority deadline for applications is December 1, 2022. The final deadline is March 1, 2023. Applicants will be notified about the awards on January 1 (for those who apply by the Dec. deadline) and April 1 (for those who apply by the March deadline).

Completing the application takes about 10 minutes if you have the items below ready. For questions about scholarships, contact Carol Day at carolanneday@gmail.com or Mady Cantor at mcantor@brynmawr.edu.

Information you will provide in the application:

Personal contact information

Knowledge of the status of your daCi USA membership

If traveling with a group, you need knowledge of whether your studio, school, or teacher has a current daCi USA membership

Statement of financial need (200 words or less)*

Description of how the applicant’s attendance at the gathering will enhance the applicant’s broader life experiences. (200 words or less)

*Chaperones need only complete the statement of financial need on the application. They do not need a description of how the Gathering will enhance their broader life experience.