The recreation department's Dance Ensemble will hold tryouts for this upcoming year on Saturday, Sept. 20 at 12 p.m. in Cluett Hall. The Dance Ensemble is open to serious dancers aged 12 and up who are residents of the village. All dancers should bring ballet shoes as well as jazz shoes to the tryouts. For a nominal registration fee, a student chosen for the Ensemble can enjoy hours of professional dance instruction culminating in a recital performance in late spring.

Felicia Lovaglio, the new director of the recreation department's Ensemble, promises to create an exciting program for students. Lovaglio has an extensive background in dance. After attending BOCES Cultural Arts Center and graduating from Adelphi University with a BA in dance, she danced professionally for both stage and national television. She has been teaching dance since 1989 with the last four years spent with the recreation department's Dance Conservatory. Lovaglio is an adjunct faculty member at Adelphi, teaching ballet and modern dance. She also works with nationally ranked figure skaters at the Newbridge Arena as their ballet/movement coach.

For further information, call the recreation department at 465-4075.

There are still openings available in the recreation department's Friday Night Learn and Play Hockey program. This program, run by Andrew Karen, will allow Garden City children aged 7 to 15 to learn the elements of playing hockey in game situations while honing up their skating and stick skills. The clinic will be held at the roller rinks at Community Park. The cost of the clinic will be $25. For further information or to register for the clinic, call Andrew Karen at 483-2525.

The Garden City Recreation Department is pleased to announce the starting dates of this year's Arts and Crafts program for residents who are 3.5 to 5 years of age. The first eight-week session begins the week of Sept. 15 according to the following schedule:

Mondays at 12:15 p.m. Beginning Sept. 15

Wednesdays at 12:15 p.m. Beginning Sept. 17

Thursdays at 10:45 a.m. Beginning Sept. 18

All classes are 45 minutes long and are held at Cluett Hall at the St. Paul's complex. The cost of this program will be $40. Registration for this program was held Tuesday, Sept. 9 at 10:30 a.m. in Cluett Hall. Note: Children attending this program must be 3.5 years old by the start of the session. For more information, call the recreation department at 465-4075.