Jim Fair
Lindsay Roberts, owner of Greer's Southern Dance Connection, received an invitation for her dancers to perform in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day's Parade,
Jim Fair
Sarah Folk will help coordinate fundraising efforts for the Southern Dance Connection dancers.
Lindsay Roberts, owner and director at the dance studio on O’Neal Road, said the cultural experience coupled with weeklong practices and the performance would be a lifetime event for her dancers.
“I got to thinking being in the Macy’s Day Parade would put the dancers on a world stage,” Roberts said. “I’ve been to dance classes and shows many times in New York but never saw the parade. We talked it up with the dancers before Thanksgiving and sent a recital DVD to Macy’s.”
When SDC was accepted it was steered to Spirit of America Productions, a company that handles the lodging, food, entertainment and ground transportation for the dancers. “This is a huge financial commitment that will take a lot of fundraising,” Roberts said. “We are now deciding what fundraisers to do.”
SDC dancers are no strangers to performing on a big stage. Some performed at the 2012 Sugar Bowl in New Orleans and danced on a cruise last summer. They also competed and placed in state, regional and national competitions.
Dancers age 13-18 can participate in the Macy’s Parade. “This is a lifetime opportunity to be in the parade. When I was in NYC last year, I thought ‘Wow’, I wish I could have done that,” Roberts said.
The music and routine will be sent to the dancers later in the year. “They will basically learn the routine here and when they get to New York any changes will be done during the week of rehearsals,” Roberts said.
“You can’t help but be energized. This is pretty awesome,” Roberts said. “This is why we teach. Yes, it’s a business and we must make money to run it. We also want to make sure the dancers learn it takes hard work to succeed. Don’t expect to be given anything.”
Roberts invites corporations and businesses to consider asking SDC dancers to perform at their events. Call Roberts at 864-849-9041 or email [email protected].