Kick your legs and point your toes. Local residents of all ages are encouraged to attend and participate in Hanford's upcoming dance festival. The Big Dance Show of 2008 will be held Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Civic Auditorium. It will be a day devoted to dance -- kicking off the morning with a carnival in Civic Park. The afternoon schedule boasts dance workshops for children and adults in the Veterans Building, followed by an evening recital.

Paty Diaz, who organized the festival through Hanford Recreation, said it's the first time that she or Hanford has hosted an event like this one.

"My overall goal is to promote dance and to let children feel the same good feelings that I feel when I dance," said Diaz, who is a local dance instructor.

All community members -- even those who don't feel comfortable dancing themselves -- are invited to attend the free evening recital, which begins at 6:30 p.m. The recital will feature performances by people who take the afternoon workshops, as well as a cheerleading squad from Armona and other local dancers and singers.

An after party for performers and audience members will follow the recital until 10 p.m. in the Civic Auditorium.

"We want everybody to be part of this," Diaz said of the festival. She added that if the turnout is good, she plans to organize a local dance festival every six months. "This is going to be a wonderful event."

At the carnival, children ages 5 to 18 can register for afternoon workshops in lyrical, Latin, ballet or hip-hop dance styles. Adults are also welcome to register for the Latin dance class, which will be taught by Diaz' mom, Estela.Jon Earnest 7/24/08 Estela To ensure your choice of workshop, pre-register at www.activenet.active.com/hanfordrec. Workshops are $15 per student and limited to one workshop per student.

Estela said the festival is a positive opportunity for children because dance boosts self-confidence and self-esteem. She said the Latin dance class will be good even for people with no prior dance experience, because the music makes the movement come more naturally.

Bob Brown, recreation supervisor, said that he believed nothing like this has been held in Hanford before. Brown said dance studios have classes and recitals, but there hasn't previously been an all-day festival for the community.

"It will be a fun day for the whole family from start to end," Brown said.

For more information, contact Paty Diaz at 707-5427 or Hanford Recreation at 585-2528.

The reporter can be reached at 583-2424.

(July 26, 2008)