CULLMAN – Cullman City Parks and Recreation’s Therapeutic Recreation Program partnered with The Factory Dance Productions and kicked off a free, six-week therapeutic dance class on Saturday. The class is for individuals ages 6 and up with all types of special needs and abilities and meets on Saturday afternoons at the Cullman Civic Center.
“On Aug. 14 there will be a performance at the civic center to showcase what they have learned during the class,” said Dance Instructor Keri Payne. “We are very excited to be able to offer this class for free and hope it will benefit all of the participants.”
The CP&R Therapeutic Recreation Program uses recreational activities, leisure and play to enhance the quality of life for individuals with physical, mental, social or emotional limitations or abilities. The program targets more than play and uses the power of recreation and leisure activities to support the rehabilitation process and promote overall wellness. Activities are targeted at education, teaching, playing and participation in a number of meaningful activities.
The program offers several events, activities and ongoing programs throughout the year. It is open to all ages and anyone with special needs of varying levels. The program’s activities are free to attend and are supported by the efforts of the Cullman City Parks and Recreation Department.
After the day’s dance session was finished, the dancers were a little tired, but very happy.
“Today’s dance class was great!” Stormi Brock said with a great big smile. Brock is a dancing pro; she attended the program when it was held at The Factory Dance Productions dance studio last year. It was hard to tell, though, who enjoyed the class more, Brock or her mother.
“I really enjoyed watching them dance today,” said Brock’s mother, Penny. “I took videos so we can practice dancing at home. In her summer program she has an X-box Kinect and dances along with it like crazy. We would be dancing at home with our Kinects, but her brother moved out recently and took the X-box with him,” she chuckled.
On Saturday the dancers were divided into two separate classes; ages 6-10 met from 2:30-3:15 p.m. and ages 11 and up met from 3:15-4 p.m. From now on, the classes will be combined.
“We had about six or seven dancers in the first group,” Payne explained, “and three in the second group. I am going to combine the group and have just one session with everyone from now on. It will meet from 2:30-3:30 p.m. every Saturday.”
“We are going to make this a regular thing and have it two or three times a year; each will be a six-week session. They will have their performance on Aug. 14 at 1 p.m. here at the civic center. Everyone is welcome to come and watch; it will be free of charge.”
The dance classes were a hit and everyone had a blast. If you didn’t make it to Saturday’s class, you can still come, it’s not too late. Be sure to wear something comfortable to move in!
The end-of-session performance will be Sunday, Aug. 14 at 1 p.m. For more information, contact Kelly Pulliam at 256-734-9157 or kpulliam@cullmanrecreation.org.
