a gold star for showing up: Reconnect Dance

In Reconnect, you get a gold star for showing up, and I take that to heart. Reconnect embraces people where they are. - Kirsti Peterson

Art as Action is now Reconnect Dance Community, offering dance for people with disabilities and chronic illnesses, primarily Parkinson’s Disease.

In Reconnect Dance:

• We enjoy fun movement and music, no dance experience needed.

• We release perfection and expectations.

• Movement can be done seated or standing, mobility aids welcome.

• You get a gold star for showing up. ⭐ 

Reconnect is a sanctuary. It's a place to be imperfect and connect with other people.  - Linda Jones

Reconnect has provided me and my fellow dancers a safe space to explore where judgement and expectations are checked at the door.  - Amy Dressel-Martin

We need your donations to keep doing what we do best: 

⭐ Show up

⭐ Create accessible spaces 

⭐  Let our gold stars shine while we DANCE TOGETHER.

THANK YOU SO MUCH!  YOUR SUPPORT KEEPS US DANCING. 

Being able to dance on Zoom is awesome. Dance gives me a community, a sense of belonging and purpose. Reconnect carries me through the day to day.
- Fredde Gibbs

Before Reconnect, I referred to my dancing as ‘pathetic.’ I now view my dyskinetic movements as creative expressions of the inner self. Dance is like getting out of jail; it’s freedom. Thank you for caring about us and transforming us.
- Carol Jenkins

Dancing while seated (in class and on stage), has allowed me to stay fully engaged with dance. I realize that dance is not only the movement across the floor but the flow and sway of the whole body, the hands and arms and also facial expressions. With Parkinson’s, facial expressions can become flat. Sarah’s guidance gives us a roadmap that aids in expressing the message of the music and choreography.
- Margie Dahlin

What struck me about dance was how it focused on what I could do as opposed to all the things I've lost. Dance was a new way to express myself. I could “say” things to an audience as a dancer that I could not as a poet. Dance is full of surprises! 
- Wayne A. Gilbert

I am not dancing to show you my perfection or please the teacher, I am dancing to please myself. Reconnect gives us permission to be the master of our own universe. 
- Karen Talcott

As always, thank you for taking such great care of (my wife) and giving her the joy and security she finds in being part of Reconnect. You've created a wonderful community! 
- Scott Dressel-Martin

Reconnect has been a lighthouse for my mother-in-law. She has a community, something to strive towards, something to look forward to, and a safe container to express herself exactly as she is. Witnessing Reconnect performances, I have peered through new windows of the person I love and seen the most illuminating smiles shine through her face. I experienced the vastness of the light the dancers carry in their hearts. 
- Sarah Dahlin

Zoom Dancers: Leann Roberts, Carol Jenkins, Vic Schmeiser, Fredde Gibbs and Wayne Gilbert

In-person photos by Grace Creative Studios. Trio Dancers: Jan Leversee, Amy Dressel-Martin. Solo/Seated Dancer: Sarah Leversee