Dancing for a Cause

With the social scene poised to explode as “the season” begins, what better time than now to burnish those dance floor skills? Even better, how about receiving direction from a professional dance instructor?

Marco Island Center for the Arts will offer the opportunity to do both with Dance with Pride, an evening of refreshments, revelry, raffles and games, and of course, pick up pointers on beginner’s level dance moves. Set for November 18, 2021, the event mirrors a program held at the Let’s Dance with Me Studio in Naples. Let’s Dance instructor Adam Vincent will lead the way at the Arts Center.

“It’s a fun way to learn some dances and meet people,” said Hyla Crane, Marco Island Center for the Arts Executive Director. “Dance is something we don’t do a lot of here at the Arts Center and we are looking at ways to integrate that into our program. I think it’s just going to be really, really fun and we encourage everybody to stop by.” 

Formed in 2017, Naples Pride is dedicated to uniting and empowering Southwest Florida’s LGBTQ community, community education, and fostering social change and equality. The evening will be part of Naples Pride’s month-long, multi-event celebration, PrideGiving. Members of the organization will be there to share information on the organization’s community center and its many programs. 

Open Mic Cabaret Nights, Drag Race Parades, Backyard BBQ’s and Pride Movie Night are just a few of the festivities scheduled for PrideGiving, which utilizes multiple sites around Collier County, including an event in Immokalee. Activities kicked off November 4 and will conclude November 21, 2021. 

This will be the Center for the Arts inaugural Naples Pride event. 

“We have been a small sponsor of Naples Pride programs,” explained Crane. “This year, we decided to take it a step further and be a first-time host of a Naples Pride program, as part of PrideGiving. Naples Pride has done a tremendous job in a short period of time, of establishing itself, setting up a community center and providing a myriad of services to the LGBTQ community. I’m not sure how much people on Marco are aware of it and although it’s called Naples Pride, it really is there for all of Collier County. We wanted to serve as a venue to have some fun, but to also allow Naples Pride to introduce itself to this community.”

Crane said that as the arts center’s leadership considered the future, after the organization’s fiftieth anniversary last year, one goal has been to examine and further embrace “diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility.” Developing new relationships and ensuring the arts center is known as a welcoming environment for one and all are key elements of that effort. 

“As we looked at our planning for this year, we contemplated ways to connect with communities that, heretofore, might not have come to the Marco Island Center for the Arts,” she added. “We stand by our belief that when you step through our door, you’re part of our family and we want you to think of us as your art home.” 

Crane said the arts center is proud to be the first to bring Dance with Pride and PrideGiving to Marco. 

“We hope that it won’t be the last time we partner with Naples Pride as they continue to grow and expand. And we hope that perhaps we are able to serve a need, serve as a place, serve as a connector for people who didn’t know this was there and might be looking for it.” 

Marco Island Center for the Arts is located at 1010 Winterberry Drive. Dance with Pride tickets are $15. To purchase tickets or for more information, visit marcoislandart.org or call 239-394-4221. Naples Pride is located at 2248 Airport-Pulling Road South. For more information, visit naplespride.org or call 239-304-9407.