Benzie students dance to economy

FROM STAFF REPORTS

March 17, 2009 12:00 am

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FRANKFORT -- Third-graders in Benzie County are dancing to the economy.

An ongoing arts program has students turning what they're already learning into dance.

For third-graders, that includes the market economy, changes in the Earth's surface and recycling, among other subjects.

Dancers are working with the students to create the dances and artists are helping students make props and backdrops.

It will all come together for a 7 p.m. performance March 25 at the Benzie Central High School auditorium.

The artists-in-residence are from the Crystal Lake Art Center and the Michigan Dance Collective. Philip Leete, artistic director of Michigan Dance Collective in Traverse City, and Eliza Forrest of Frankfort are helping the dancers. Ken Lake, of Frankfort, and Meg Louwsma of Beulah are among the artists helping. Local businesses have donated materials.

The 200 students in seven classrooms will receive about 70 hours of dance and art instruction.

Money came from grants from the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs, the National Endowment for the Arts and private donations. Call 352-4151, or e-mail clartcenter@sbcglobal.net.