On July 9, twenty-three members of Extravadance Studio in Canora, along with Kristin Weber-Karcha, Extravadance owner and artistic director, and a number of parents embarked on “the adventure of a lifetime” to Disneyland in California.
Weber-Karcha said the trip was approximately two years in the making, but it was definitely worth all the fundraising and preparation involved.
“Our dancers got to bring their love of dance to the happiest place on Earth,” she said. “They became a part of “Dance The Magic,” a yearly event held to showcase what young men and women from all around the world love; dance.
“Our Extravadancers practiced for months and their hard work paid off in more ways than one.”
Under the care and supervision of Weber-Karcha, the group engaged in workshops and dance camps put on by official Disney choreographers.
“Our dancers performed two group dances at the “Dance The Magic Showcase” held at the Fantasyland Theatre in Disneyland Park,” said Weber-Karcha. “If that wasn’t magical enough, they then took part in two parades which consisted of hundreds of participants, smiles beaming as they danced their way through Disneyland Park and California Adventure Park to the delight of thousands of guests. And you can bet your Minnie Mouse ears that there was not a dry ‘dance- mom’ eye in the park.”
During the busy trip, the group made time to visit the Disneyland parks, including riding on the famous teacups, said Weber-Karcha.
“Other highlights of the trip included a VIP dance party that gave our dancers a chance to let loose and make new friends, quite a few chances to cool down at the hotel pool, a group supper at Goofy’s Kitchen in the Disneyland Hotel, and a group trip to Huntington Beach to wrap-up the trip,” she said.
The Extravadance group returned home on July 18. Weber-Karcha said dancers and moms and dads were pretty tired, but came home “with memories that are sure to last a lifetime.”
Dancers who went on the trip were: Lexie Biletski, Hannah Keinick-Wallis, Shayna Leson, Saryn Leson, Luca Propp, Robin Skurat, Rebekah Thomas, Zoe Thomas, Paisley Wolkowski,
Breanne Woloshyn and Bailee Zuravloff of Canora; Kayla Desjarlais, Haylie Desjarlais, Abby Robinson, Allison Robinson, and Emma Johnson of Norquay; Jillian Newton, Lexi Prouse,
Ireland Zuk, Hannah Kidder and Oakley Zuk of Preeceville; and Kingsley Herman and Alexi Magnusson of Yorkton.
Weber-Karcha said this trip would not have been possible without the support of sponsors and those who took part in various fundraising efforts around the region.
“Anyone who purchased items such as beef jerky, bamboo sheets, poinsettias, or pizza kits over the last two years, probably purchased them from a dance family,” she said, “which means it helped someone in our group to make the trip to “Dance The Magic.” All the support is much appreciated.”
