Festival Dance and Performing Arts Association

Listen to a special message from Cindy.

A Letter from the Director

One of my most recent favorite memories was on the bus with students from the Coeur d’Alene Tribal School after these students had experienced one of our Youthreach programs; some hip hop street dancers from Soul Street Dance.  I asked the students what was their favorite part of the performance and everyone raised their hand.  Every child had a positive experience with dance that day.  This story truly embodies our emphasis on Diversity, Accessibility, Nurturing local talent, Community involvement, and artistic Excellence. 

At Festival Dance and Performing Arts Association, we achieve our mission of “Bringing the Arts to the People, and the People to the Arts” every day.    One way we do this is by bringing high-caliber productions to the Palouse.  You will Be Dazzled! by all of the spectacular shows in our 2012-2013 Great Performances Series.  We are honored to present the captivating power of the Cleo Parker Robinson Ensemble, the stunning feats of strength and energy of the Shangri-La Acrobats, the classic beauty of the Eugene Ballet’s “Swan Lake,” and the rollicking music and folk dances of An Dóchas and the Haran Irish Dancers. 

It is such a pleasure to be a part of the cultural landscape in our area, and to know that Festival Dance is deeply touching the lives of people and youth with our programs.  The future of the arts is held in the minds and spirits of children, which is why Festival Dance is particularly focused on bringing dance to them.  Our free youth educational programs focus on the experience and interaction that children have with the performing arts, dance in particular.  These programs reach thousands of children each year, including those who live in rural communities.  A future rich in the arts improves the quality of life for the communities we serve.

The opportunity for dance in all our lives is made possible by the continued commitment and support of the arts. Festival Dance would like to thank the local, state, and national grants, organizations, and donors that enable us to better serve the 15,000 people annually in eighteen communities in north Idaho and eastern Washington.  We would also like to thank individuals like you for helping us to accomplish our mission every day.    

It is in our nature from very early in life to dance.  Instinctively we enjoy dancing and moving our bodies to music; reveling in the joy of expressing ourselves physically to music. Let’s all continue to DANCE!     

Thank you for enjoying our shows.

Yours in the arts,

Cindy Barnhart

Executive Director
Festival Dance and Performing Arts

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