Family Day - August 13

Join us for a FREE, meditative day at the Garden with

• Sculpture Searches
• Paper Crane Craft
• Mushroom Paper Workshop led by Sheila Prescott at Central Texas Mycology 
• A dance course instruction from Dance Waterloo (presented by Dance Across Austin)
• Seed Planting and Meditation led by Jesus Garcia at Herbal Action Project
• A Storytime Reading & Pop-Up from Jessica Lam & Shivani Bakshi with their alphabet books E is for Eggtart and K is for Kulfi!  It's "Back to School" at the UMLAUF!  

MORE INFORMATION about our event activities:

• Dance course:

Join us! These classes are first come first serve. 

Afro-Latin Flow Class (2-2:30PM)

This class is a combination of West African Dance, Latin dance, and contemporary movement. In this workshop, participants will learn the steps by repeating them to the rhythm of the drums. A short choreography will be taught with the steps learned that will be repeated with live drums. 

The dynamic and intensity of the movements will keep your heart rate in flux, giving you a substantial blast of cardio. This dance offers a full-body workout, your lower body is especially engaged, and at the same time, your mind is equally stimulated as you learn and memorize diverse patterns of movement.
This class can also improve your mood by raising endorphins from the connection of the movement with the drums.

Come and enjoy this unique combination of Latin flavor, the intensity of West African dance, the creativity of contemporary movement, and the magical music of the African drums.

Storybook Dance Making (2:30-3PM)

Dance Waterloo's Storybook Dance Making class is a unique, innovative, and interactive program aimed at fostering creativity, imagination, and the love of dance in children aged 2-6. Combining elements of literature, dance, and theater, the class inspires children to explore storytelling through movement, fostering a love for books and dance in a fun, engaging manner.

Our trained instructors will introduce a chosen storybook and guide the children in exploring the story's themes, characters, and narratives through creative dance activities. This will help them enhance their literary comprehension and motor skills while cultivating an understanding of the fundamental elements of dance, including space, time, and energy.

Children can improvise and create their own dance sequences, encouraging self-expression and boosting their confidence. Moreover, the collaborative nature of the class will help develop their social and teamwork skills.

While based on early childhood education and dance principles, the class allows for flexibility and is adapted to cater to our young participants' varied interests and abilities. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to join in the fun, strengthening the bond between them and their children.

Class Outcomes:

At the end of the class, your child will:

1. Have a better understanding of how to express themselves through dance and movement.
2. Be able to identify and connect with the story's elements and characters, thus improving their literary comprehension.
3. Gain increased confidence and social skills through group activities.
4. Enhance their imagination, creativity, and motor skills.

Who should attend:

This class is perfect for children aged 2-6 years who have a penchant for dancing, storytelling, or simply being creative. No prior dance experience is necessary.

About Dance Waterloo:

Dance Waterloo is a renowned community dance organization, committed to providing inclusive and accessible dance education. Our philosophy centers on nurturing creativity, fostering a sense of community, and promoting a lifelong appreciation for dance. Our highly experienced and passionate instructors aim to create an enriching, fun, and safe environment for children to explore dance and movement.

Note: Please bring comfortable clothing and a water bottle for your child. Parents and caregivers are also encouraged to participate.

• Seed Planting and Meditation led by Jesus Garcia at Herbal Action Project

In this community meditation we will journey into the garden to receive a passive soft hearted guided sound therapy session with the magic of seeds. Each attendee will receive a seed bag to sit and meditate as we move into guided breathwork, healing mantra and closing with a chime bell to let attendees move freely to the garden spaces as they reflect their inner child self with the kindness of wishes while providing a beneficial seed to a garden area. 

Sponsored by: