Studio Farewell Party

Is your passion bucket full? BodyVox is feeding arts supporters with something unique and special. The passion of the artists comes out in every communication and every performance. As an audience you could not ask for them to stimulate your senses more. How can I describe a combination of ballet, break dancing, and cirque de sole? If you can picture in your mind something that will stimulate your visual, hearing, feeling, smell, and taste senses you can visualize BodyVox.

All of this was on display recently at a celebration for BodyVox. As an organization, they were saying goodbye to a studio that could no longer contain their growing support. This was not just a goodbye it was a celebration of memories and connections with the community. Artistic Directors Jamie Hampton and Ashley Roland along with Daniel Kirk gave performances that stirred the soul and hearts of the supporters that were there. So inspired were those in attendance, and even with fewer guests than expected, BodyVox raised more than the goal of $20,000 needed to build the dance floors in the new building. In true BodyVox style, the organization opened the chance for its supporters to literally be a part of the building. We could not help ourselves but jump at the chance. Time capsules will be placed in the new floor with donors being able to fill them up with whatever they felt would represent their wishes for a future generation to find. As the board and the diagram of the new floor filled up it became almost frenzy-like as we all jumped off our chairs to be a part of this great organization.

Bodyvox provides arts supporters something we have long starved for in the Portland community. The chance to connect with and be connected with. The opportunity to stimulate young minds and continue to cultivate creative thinking. Only recently, I have become involved with BodyVox as a volunteer and with every interaction I have with the staff, dancers and other volunteers I become more mesmerized and inspired. BodyVox may not have the numbers of other organizations but they are growing and attracting supporters from all generations and demographics. As supporters of the organization we are eating at the buffet of artistry and our passion buckets are overflowing. I feel blessed to have been given the opportunity to be let into the inner circle of this amazing company.

~Rene Contakos