I've had an epiphany about relating my experiences in Nicaragua/Costa Rica, salsa dance, and my goal of starting my own dance studio in the future!

The Barrio Planta Project is a community development, education and arts initiative that provides the children and adults from the low-income neighborhood, 'La Planta' in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua with free English classes and extra-curricular activities. Through English classes, artistic expression and community development projects, they are able to discover their skills, passions, confidence and pride for an overall more fulfilling, successful and rewarding life.

Project includes free English classes for children and adults, arts and crafts classes, dance classes, theater classes, a basketball clinic, murals completed and in progress, a book club, music projects, community development activities and neighborhood rehabilitation work.

This is the service group I worked for while in Nicaragua. My boyfriend Billy taught English classes while I assisted with dance and art classes. Dyani Mak is an Emerson grad who traveled in Nicaragua and was inspired to start this program. However, despite many fundraisers the project is in desperate need of funds.

My idea is to hold a dance showcase/charity event that would benefit the Barrio Planta Project. The event would be an up-scale party with beverages and light snacks in which people would mingle, be entertained, and be informed about this wonderful project. Ticket sales would directly go to the project and donations would also be encouraged. I envision a roof-top gala with artistically displayed information about the project, Nicaragua, and how people can help.

This event would also be a way to showcase talent in Columbia. Local dance groups such as Vibrations Dance Company, UNBOUND, the USC dance department, and Columbia City Jazz would be invited to perform some of their own pieces. I would also choreograph some original pieces and audition dancers all over Columbia. I would include several Latino dances, but also include contemporary and lyrical pieces in order to ensure variety for the guests. However, I wouldn't stop there. I also wish to showcase all aspects of art, just like the Barrio Planta Project teaches underprivileged children all forms of art. I have many friends who are aspiring painters and photographers. I would love it if they would display their art all around the venue. Perhaps they could put them up for sale and have some or all of the proceeds go the the project as well.

In addition to being a fundraiser and artistic outlet in Columbia, the event would be excellent practice for starting my own dance studio. Almost every studio puts on showcases or recitals, so this one time event would teach me everything that goes into such a project. It would provide experience in administration, creativity, discipline, and organization.

Finally, this event would allow me to share with my fellow Columbians the joy of salsa dancing. Over the past couple of years my passion for salsa as well as my skills have grown exponentially. The more turns, styles, and lifts I learn the more I love it. It is amazing to me how much I have improved as well. I remember going to salsa night in Cincinnati, OH at the Mad Frog and stumbling over my own feet. Now I am confident in my skills and even have several people waiting in line to be my partner! I want other people to appreciate and enjoy salsa as much as I do, and what better way than a performance?

In conclusion, this project encompasses about everything that I have been working on and need to work on. It helps others, relates back to my travels in Central America, exposes people to art, trains me to open my own studio, and demonstrates what I have learned in relation to salsa dance. Now, it's time to get to work!