Youth in motion: Valley’s dance studios to bring high energy to North Bend Block Party

With selections on two stages, watch youth dancers leap, spin and shimmy in North Bend Block Party performances Saturday, July 14, downtown. Performing at 12:45 p.m. on the Community Stage, Cascade Dance Company brings a selection of musical theatre dances including “Ease on Down the Road” and “Forget About the Boy.” “These pieces allow our students to practice their acting skills in conjunction with dance,” said Cascade’s Kelsey Jamieson Ruth. “They’re fun, high-energy numbers that get a crowd pumped up.

July 13, 2012 5:13 pm
IGNITE dancers show moves at the 2011 block party. The North Bend dance studio's competitive teams return to the celebration this weekend
IGNITE dancers show moves at the 2011 block party. The North Bend dance studio's competitive teams return to the celebration this weekend

With selections on two stages, watch youth dancers leap, spin and shimmy in North Bend Block Party performances Saturday.

Cascade Dance

Performing at 12:45 p.m. on the Community Stage, Cascade Dance Company brings a selection of musical theatre dances  including “Ease on Down the Road” and “Forget About the Boy.”


“These pieces allow our students to practice their acting skills in conjunction with dance,” said Cascade’s Kelsey Jamieson Ruth. “They’re fun, high-energy numbers that get a crowd pumped up.

“We believe dance, and performance opportunities like North Bend Block Party, are great tools for developing our youths’ confidence, teamwork, and ability to self-express,” Ruth added. “We’re very proud of how much our company dancers have accomplished not only in their dance lives, but in their personal lives as well. They are well-rounded, bright individuals and we believe that the skills they learn in dance contribute to that!”

Mount Si Gymnastics

The competitive gymnastics team from Mount Si Gymnastics Academy and Dance Studio, ranging in age from 5 to 13, brings a demonstration of their progressions when they perform at 3 p.m. on the Community Stage. They’ll also do a choreographed routine to music.


According to owner Amy Norton, gymnastic skills naturally develop strength, balance, flexibility, coordination and confidence.

“Gymnastics lessons equip children with fundamental movement skills that allows the child to pursue other activities or sports, be it soccer, volleyball or even P.E. in school,” Norton told the Record. “Children who are skilled movers even do better academically. Young children who participate in gymnastics also establish exercise as a daily need or lifestyle.”

IGNITE competition team

Members of the IGNITE Dance Competition Team will perform at 4 p.m. on the Main Stage.

This group of dancers travel to regional and national level competitions throughout the year, so the block party is a great opportunity for the dancers to perform locally for their community, instructor Katie Black says. IGNITE team dancers rarely pass up a chance to be onstage—every moment helps prepare them for their future, no matter what they pursue.

“Our hope is that the audience is truly moved by each performance, and witness how hard work and dedication really pay off,” she told the Record. “IGNITE is all about community, so we were more than happy to be a major sponsor of the Block Party this year. We feel blessed to be a healthy place for families to connect and ignite their passion.”