DECEMBER 13, 2018 // 7
COLIN MURPHEY PHOTO
Students at Encore Dance Studio toss
packages to each other during practice.
GIFTED
KIDS
Dancers’ recital brings in Christmas toys for fellow children
By KATHERINE LACAZE
FOR COAST WEEKEND
I
n the words of 10-year-old
Gwendolyn Smith, Encore Dance
Studio’s fourth annual Toy Drive
Recital is about “raising toys for kids
who don’t get presents at Christmas,
by dancing.”
Instead of paying for admission
to the recital — taking place at 6:30
p.m. Friday, Dec. 14, at the Seaside
Civic & Convention Center — at-
tendees are asked to bring a toy to
donate to Toys For Tots.
In past years, this has yielded a
giant pile of soon-to-be presents for
families in need. Being able to gen-
erate such an outcome through jazz,
ballet, hip hop and tap dancing makes
the dancers “feel really special,”
studio owner Denele Sweet said.
“I remind them of that when we
are rehearsing,” she said. “When they
realize people are coming to watch
them dance, and they are helping
other kids, it is really fun for them to
take pride in that.”
Leveling up
Each year, the hour-and-a-half
recital features most of the same
music, with different skill or grade
levels performing designated pieces.
Continued on Page 12
IF YOU GO
Encore Dance Studio Toy Drive Recital
Where: Seaside Civic & Convention Center,
415 First Ave., Seaside
When: Friday, Dec. 14. Doors open at 6 p.m.,
performance starts at 6:30 p.m.
Admission: A gift to donate to Toys for Tots
For more information: Call the studio at 503-
717-1637 or email encoregearhart@msn.com