Dorchester Center for the Arts is excited to announce a new program for the new year - open dance at DCA. Intended to build a strong dance community in Dorchester County, the weekly program kicks off Jan. 11, 6-9 p.m., in the George B. Todd Performance Hall.

Open dance is a new and unexplored idea, whose purpose is to provide a safe space for people to perform, learn and teach. Founder Binny Olsen developed this concept out of her love for dance and her deep gratitude for the emotional and physical healing it provides individuals and communities. The idea of open dance also stems from her love for open mic. Open mic provides a safe space where everyday people can perform music among groups who support musicians and their growing and developing perspectives. Open dance is the same, but with dance. While the program will be held weekly each Thursday, there is no commitment to attend every week. The evening is free to attend, and refreshments will be available.

Open dance is designed to be an informal, nonprofessional dance program that encourages people of diverse backgrounds and socio-economic status, ages 17+, to experience dance on several levels. The evening will be divided into three parts: The first hour is performance. Dancers who wish to perform bring their own music for a 2- to 5-minute act, as individuals or groups. The second hour is where a dance is taught. The last part is the dance party. This will be developed as the program moves forward, but this is the starting layout.

The guest instructor for Jan. 11 will be Morgan Hunsicker (she/they). Morgan recently graduated from the Joffrey Ballet School’s Jazz and Contemporary program. While at Joffrey, she also completed several semesters of her Dance BFA degree at NJCU. Having attended the Joffrey Program, Morgan has been professionally trained in many genres of dance such as ballet, jazz, contemporary, hip hop, musical theatre, Latin jazz, street jazz, partnering, and modern. She has assisted with Joffrey rehearsals and has taught at Eastern Shore Dance Academy. Morgan is currently in rehearsals for “Les Fêtes de Thalie” with Opera Lafayette which will premiere May 3-4 at the Kennedy Center in D.C.

Dorchester Center for the Arts is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, dedicated to enriching Maryland’s Eastern Shore community through high quality, engaging programming in the visual, literary, and performing arts. As the designated County Arts Council for Dorchester County, DCA is committed to increasing access to the arts for all members of our community by supporting extensive outreach and educational opportunities in the arts. For more information on other activities and events at DCA, stop by 321 High Street, call 410-228-7782 or visit online at www.dorchesterarts.org. Programs at DCA are supported by the Maryland State Arts Council.