The recreation department is pleased to give residents a preview of this year's dance program. This program is open to children aged 4 and up who are residents of the village. The department welcomes two new dance directors: Felicia Lovaglio and Jen Gigante, who have created new, innovative classes. Residents will see several new offerings and age groupings available. Registration and fees for these exciting classes will be announced in an upcoming Garden City Life.

A description and tentative schedule of classes is listed below. Please note that starting this year there will be a strict adherence to the age and grade groupings. All children must be 4 years old at the start of the class.

The type of dance classes being offered include:

Ballet: The basis of all dance. This classical technique helps to promote an awareness of body placement and discipline while developing poise and grace.

Modern Dance: Based on the Martha Graham and Lester Horton techniques, this program features free movement with a structure.

Hip Hop Jazz: Based on the Charles Kelly technique, this program promotes a better knowledge of how the body moves using isolations accompanied by today's popular music.

Tap: Make some noise while learning fun techniques that also allows a better understanding of musical notes and rhythms.

Creative Movement: In this introduction to dance, move and play to music, learning while using the imagination.

Combo Classes: A shorter version of each technique to captivate the younger child.

The schedule set up for this year is as follows (all classes are one hour):

Mondays

1:30 Pre-K/Kindergarten Ballet/Tap

3:30 Beginner Modern for grades 4-6

4:30 Ballet for grades K-3

5:30 Tap for everyone in grades 3 and up

Tuesdays

1:30 Pre-K/Kindergarten Creative Movement

3:30 Ballet/Tap for Pre-K/Kindergarten

4:30 Beginner Ballet for grades 7 and up

Wednesdays

10:45 Pre-K Ballet/Tap

1:30 Ballet/Tap for Pre-K/Kindergarten

3:30 Jazz for grades K-3

4:30 Beginner Jazz for grades 7 and up

Thursdays

1:30 Pre-K/Kindergarten Ballet/Jazz

3:30 Intermediate Ballet for grades 4-6

4:30 Intermediate Ballet for grades 7 and up

Fridays

1:30 Pre-K/Kindergarten Creative Movement

3:30 Beginner/Intermediate Jazz for grades 4-6

4:30 Intermediate/Advanced Jazz for grades 7 and up

Saturdays

10:30 Pre-K/Kindergarten Creative Movement

1:30 Beginner/Intermediate Modern for grades 7 and up

Adult Dance Classes

Tuesday

10:30-11:30 a.m. Stretch (mat or towel required)

Wednesday

9:45-10:45 a.m. Ballet

Thursday

10:30-11:30 Tap

Friday

9:45-10:45 a.m. Stretch (mat or towel required)

10:45-11:45 a.m. Modern/Jazz (knee pads required)

The recreation department began running their popular summer Chess Club Tuesday, July 16 at the Garden City Library's small meeting room from 4 to 6 p.m. This program will run every Tuesday through Aug. 27. The Chess Club is free and open to children in third through eighth grade who are residents of the Inc. Village of Garden City. Paul Dooher will again moderate this program. For further information call the recreation department at 465-4075.