Playtime in the Park is free dance and theatre offerings from their education programs twice a month at 11:00 am on Saturdays on the outdoor Loop Stage. These programs are ideal for kids, and entertaining for parents and the whole family!
The birth of modern dance was intricately linked with the natural environment through the work of Isadora Duncan. Many of her works were performed and created outdoors in gardens and wild spaces.
Inviting children to view their outdoor environment as a possible site for dance and or performance is a creative way to encourage lateral thinking. The range of locations that may be used are only limited by the imagination. Peli has a great imagination and loves to dance outdoors with her friends!
Can you think of a dance move that would be fun to do outdoors?
Peli found that kids have been dancing in Florida throughout its history. Below are two photographs, one from around 1900 and another from 1956, showing young people dancing outdoors throughout Florida history.
A dancing class. 1900 (circa). State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. <https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/132368>, accessed 10 October 2023.
Leahey, Robert R., Collector, 1912-1969. African American boys and girls dancing- White Springs, Florida. 1956. State Archives of Florida, Florida Memory. <https://www.floridamemory.com/items/show/105919>, accessed 10 October 2023.
The Adventures of Peli the Pelican 