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SANTA BARBARA — After seven months of battling COVID-19 and dealing with the unrelenting fallout affecting the economy and the rhythm of daily life, everyone around the world could use some good news. Halloween has not been canceled! You’re invited to virtually attend the safest, “creepy-cool” party of the year! The “THRILLS & CHILLS” Halloween Dance Fest is the first of its kind, global celebration sponsored by World Dance for Humanity (WD4H), a non-profit organization with headquarters in Santa Barbara California. The Zoom-based festivities begin with a THRILLER dance event on Saturday, October 24th at 3:00 PM (Pacific time), followed by a Halloween Costume Dance Party on Saturday, October 31st at 3:00 PM.
Participants can also be part of a video montage of international dancers by submitting their home video of WD4H dances by Sunday, October 25th. This is a great way to see how people around the world dress up and have fun on Halloween. WD4H offers free daily Zoom dance classes at 10:00 AM; this month dancers can learn dance steps to Halloween classics: Ghostbusters, Monster Mash, and Stevie Wonder’s Superstition. In addition, instructors will hold THRILLER dance workshops on Saturday, October 10th, 17th and 24th at 10:00 AM, and Wednesday, October 14th, and 21st at 6:00 PM. To register for THRILLS & CHILLS, click here. To learn more, sign up for the daily dance class or workshops, visit worlddanceforhumanity.org/thrills-chills-halloween-event-2020/
According to Executive Director Janet Reineck, “This year marks the 10th anniversary World Dance for Humanity is hosting the THRILLS & CHILLS Halloween event. It’s a much loved community tradition that normally attracts hundreds of dancers who perform around town, culminating with the grand finale performance of THRILLER in the Sunken Garden at the Santa Barbara Courthouse. While the pandemic and current County public health regulations don’t permit large local in-person social gatherings, curtailing our usual ‘flash mobs’ and main performance, we found a virtual workaround. It actually works to our benefit, offering us a way to reach thousands of new “spook-tacular’” online fans around the world. This enables WD4H to share our mission which is changing lives… one step at a time.” She notes that to make the event inclusive and welcoming to all, this year a team of World Dance volunteers is working with Santa Barbara’s Parks and Recreation Adapted Programs, reaching out to adults with special needs and inviting them to participate in the Halloween fun.
WD4H uses dance as a vehicle to bring like-minded people together and motivate them to move and express themselves in a supportive environment. Dance themes and music used in classes focus on current events in the news and give students a way to process their thoughts and feelings. Reineck says, “Through music, message, and movement, our daily Zoom classes help participants cope with what is going on in our country: racial injustice and police brutality in our nation, California wildfires, the plight of undocumented workers, hurricanes in the Gulf states, the ongoing COVID challenge, the passing of Ruth Bader Ginsburg, even post-debate blues and the upcoming elections.”
The programs are offered free of charge, with an option for participants to make a donation of any amount. WD4H’s “pay-what-you-can-afford” business model for donation- based dance fitness classes has successfully generated thousands of dollars in proceeds. The funds raised have been used to help people in need, here at home, and halfway around the world. Locally, WD4H supported the Santa Barbara Food Bank and 805UndocuFund, which serves undocumented workers and their families. In Rwanda, where WD4H is helping 12,000 people in 28 rural communities, donations were used to bring emergency food relief to people facing hunger in the wake of COVID shutdowns and failed crops. WD4H was the first international charity to respond to this crisis. Since April, WD4H has provided food for 5,866 Rwandans threatened with starvation.
Normally WD4H asks for a $40 donation for participation in the annual THRILLS & CHILLS celebration. Because of COVID, they are waiving the fee this year, to provide a needed diversion during these challenging times. However, donations for the workshops and classes are always appreciated. Proceeds will go to the WD4H Rwanda Education Fund, which will give 320 Rwandan students a chance to go to school in 2021.
Every day since “lockdown” began in March, WD4H’s free daily classes have been keeping people of all ages and abilities inspired and in-shape during COVID confinement. They have become a destination for people trying to overcome the isolation and inertia brought on by the pandemic. Recently they marked their 200th Zoom class. Reineck notes that, “Participants feel good about what they’re doing for themselves – and others – by being part of the World Dance community. They know they can depend on this morning cup of community and inspiration, served up with passion and joy.” When they began the Zoom classes, she never imagined that they would become so much more than a daily workout. Reineck says, “It’s a wake-up call to gratitude, a chance to experience our shared humanity during these difficult times while having a wonderful time. We are looking forward to dancing together, yet safely apart, at this year’s Halloween THRILLS & CHILLS, making new friends from far away locations. We’ll use the art of collective dance to make the world a healthier, better place.”
About World Dance for Humanity (WD4H) — Founded in 2010, World Dance for Humanity bridges cultures through movement and helps people in need by supporting small, sustainable, grassroots projects locally and in the developing world. All charitable donations and class fees go to underserved communities where a small amount of money can inspire hope and change lives, and where we can develop deep connections to the people we serve. For more information, visit worlddanceforhumanity.org.