[Behind The Curtain is a unique opportunity to get exclusive insight into the inner workings of Malashock Dance performances, programs, and events through first-person accounts from those that make them happen.  From performers and choreographers to directors, producers, and beyond, our varied cast of contributors will provide an entertaining  insiders look at what happens "behind the scenes"  at Malashock Dance .]

Series #1 - MALASHOCK THINKS YOU CAN DANCE
As we approach our 4th Annual MALASHOCK THINKS YOU CAN DANCE! Fundraiser on October 9, we’ll be hearing from all levels of participants, past and present, to learn what it takes to raise the much-needed funds that support Malashock Dance’s Education Outreach and Scholarship programs.

Vol. 1 - Paloma Patterson (Malashock Dance Executive Director)

I can’t believe it’s been four years since our very first Malashock Thinks You Can Dance fundraiser! Back then, television dance fever had just started to spread. Luckily for us, a few Malashock Dance friends had the foresight to capitalize on its growing popularity and we ended up parlaying it into the organization’s most successful, creative fundraiser in our 23-year history (well, it may be our ONLY annual fundraiser, but that is beside the point!).

Throughout the years, we’ve definitely learned a lot about producing the event, and as such, it has been through a few incarnations since our 2007 debut. The first year, Mary Murphy (judge on Fox TV’s So You Think You Can Dance) was on hand, contestants only competed in Cha Cha and Waltz, and one champion in each category was named. In year two, we opened up the styles and crowned one overall winner in the 2+ hour show. Last year, we hired a professional emcee, cut the show to 90 minutes, and encouraged more theatrical performances.

For this year’s event, we decided to turn up the heat by re-branding the event (thanks Bailey Gardiner!); moving to a brand new location in North Park; and for the very first time, awarding the championship title to both a man and a woman - an important new direction, as thus far, no male contestant has ever won!

Most importantly, we’ve found the biggest reward of this fundraiser has been the tangible power in the community of dance itself. Not only does it support one of San Diego’s premier dance companies, it funds our Education Outreach & Scholarships programs that bring much needed arts education to nearly 3,000 under-served local students. It also provides important jobs to working professional dancers and enables our celebrity contestants to either discover, or re-discover, a love for the art-form. Many continue their lessons well after the lights have gone down, simply because they’ve found that dance enables them to access an unparalleled level of self-expression, fun, and physical exercise!

Every year we joke that it may be our last. We keep waiting for the momentum to dissipate, but it just hasn’t happened. We already have a waiting list for contestants in 2011 and could not be more excited about this year’s event! It’s going to both air in prime time on Cox’s Ch.4 and include an introduction by the one-and-only Mary Murphy. Maybe all of San Diego really does think they can dance… and we’re here to make that dream come true!

- Paloma Patterson 8/27/10

http://www.malashockdance.org/thinksyoucandance