9th Annual Dancin' Downtown Festival

Free Outdoor Dance Festival Celebrating National Dance Week featuring diverse dance groups from across the bay area

sjDANCEco invites you to participate in Dancin' Downtown, a dance festival set for the first Sunday of National Dance Week from 12-5PM, and taking place outside at the Circle of Palms/Fairmont Plaza.
Dancin' Downtown is intended to showcase the wealth and diversity of South Bay dance artists. All dance companies, choreographers, studios, performing groups and cultural organizations are eligible to apply.  We are especially encouraging participants from all across the Bay Area to participate, including San Francisco, North Bay, East Bay, Peninsula and South Bay regions.
Applications have closed. Please check back for schedule updates.
As the producer of this festival, sjDANCEco is responsible for all organizing as well as covering all related expenses. However, our costs are increasing and we need your support of our participants to keep the festival free to the public.  A one-time $25  fee will be required upon submisionn of your application.
sjDANCEco agrees to organize and cover the cost of all expenses relating to the Festival, such as equipment, necessary permits, publicity and marketing, and spectator/audience (but not Participant) insurance.

FAQ

Am I eligible to apply?

Yes! All dance companies, choreographers, studios, performing groups and cultural organizations are eligible to apply.  We are especially encouraging participants from all across the Bay Area to participate, including San Francisco, North Bay, East Bay, Peninsula and South Bay regions.


When will I know if I got in?

The Dancin' Downtown festival programming schedule and other information will be posted on our website on April 1, 2009.    Most every organization that applies will be considered a participant in the Festival.


How much time & how many pieces are allowed for each group?

Pieces should be no longer than 7 minutes.  Two pieces per organization are aloowed throough our application process(maximum stage time for one group 15 minutes.)  A second piece is not guaranteed however, the total length of the festival is 300 minutes and efforts will be made to showcase the most variety of performers.


Can I request a time slot to perform?
Scheduling requests are considered on a first come, first serve basis.

Please submit your scheduling request in your application.


What kind of pieces work best?

Due to the nature of the performance, many audience members come to enjoy the festival by happenstance.  Audience grabbing pieces tend to be energetic and under 4 minutes.


What if I can't attend the Mandatory Meeting?


If you cannot personally attend the mandatory meeting, please make arrangements for a representative to attend in your place.  Important information will be distributed and a no-show may result in your piece being removed from the festival performance.


Who can volunteer?

Required volunteers may be any two people whom represent your organization, dancers, parents, friends, employees, etc.  The typical volunteer activities consist of set-up, strike and surveying the audience.

Can I get a DVD of the Festival?

Our sjDANCEco videographer John Parenica has recorded this event for the past 2 years and currently plans to record specific performances for 2010. If interested in obtaining your specific group's performance, please contact John beforehand at video@2nd20.com.  Otherwise, If you wish to archive your performance in the festival,
please make arrangements to have someone videotape it.


Are shoes really required? Are dance paws ok?

Whether shoes are worn or not (dance paws are needed for dances normally done barefoot) will be at the discretion of the stage manager and will be reliant on the condition of the stage.  If it is unsafe to dance barefoot and you do not have shoes, you will not be allowed on the stage.  There is no covering over the stage and the marley can absorb a lot of heat whilst in direct sunlight that can cause injuries/burns to barefooted dancers.


What about rain?

If there is possibility of rain, we will go forth and set up our outdoor stage.  If it is misting we will still plan on performing.  If you do not feel safe performing in these conditions we have a few options...we can postpone your performance time or we can perform it in the SJSU Dance Theatre.  We will wipe the stage down if there is moisture, as well.

Event Details


The Circle of Palms/Fairmont Plaza is Downtown San Jose in the space between the San Jose Museum of Art and the Fairmont Hotel.

Performances will be non-stop from Noon till 5pm, April 25th, 2010.
Tech Information: Outdoor Stage
*Please be prepared for warm and cool weather, it is mandatory to bring dance shoes, whether shoes are worn or not will be at the discression of the stage manager.

Unobstructed Performance Space: 30' x 40'
Floor: Sprung/Marley
Sound System: CD & Microphone
Lighting: Natural
Tech Rehearsal: None
Dressing Rooms: Limited Access: participants are encouraged to arrive in costume
Restrooms: San Jose Museum of Art
Refreshments: Participants to bring their own water & food; Museum Café will be open
Parking: Parking in city lots on San Fernando & 3rd; nearby parking also in SJ Museum, Fairmont Hotel and Adobe parking.