Eugene Dance Concert Will Benefit Oregon Shores

The relationship between people and nature is often described as a dance.  Some Eugene-area dancers are using their skills to connect people to the coast in terpsichorean terms and benefit Oregon Shores into the bargain.

Every year, Flex Studios in Eugene gives a benefit concert, with a theme and a designated beneficiary.  This year their theme is coastal conservation, and we are thankful to announce that the designated beneficiary is Oregon Shores. 

The concert, Flex Coast, takes place Saturday, March 11, 7:30 p.m., in the Ragozzino Concert Hall at Lane Community College (4000 E. 30^th Ave.).

Tickets are $15 in advance, $18 at the door.  Tickets can be purchased at the studio (1005 Oak Alley, 50th East 10th Ave.) or over the phone, (541)-972-FLEX.  The proceeds from the concert will go to support Oregon Shores’ work to conserve the coast that the dance concert celebrates.

This benefit was entirely the idea of the directors of the studio, Lindsey Shields and Angela Dunham, and their dancers.  They reached out to us.  The concert will both enable our work through supporting our budget, and inspire us to think creatively about the environment we seek to preserve.

Writes Lindsey:  “I was born and raised on the West Coast, my business partner on the coast of Maine. The ocean is a part of our souls. As we are all aware it is imperative that we take care of our oceans for future life and sustainability for our planet.  With this in mind, our 2017 concert is entitled “Flex Coast”. We (sought Oregon Shores) to be our beneficiary recipient for funds raised that will contribute to the health and longevity of coastal conservation. Our dancers are entirely involved in the process of our productions. They experience each themed concept in a multifaceted format that allows them to fully appreciate their creative and monetary contributions to the non-profit and theme we choose each year. For example, as our dancers learn choreography and produce dances, they have the opportunity to learn about the element of the sea they are representing in the concert. In-class work allows us time as instructors to educate on marine life, coastal conservation, animal rehabilitation, pollution of plastics, oil spills, conscious choice as consumers, etc.”

After the concert, the entire Flex Studios student body plans to spend a day of community service cleaning beaches of marine debris.