It is a beautiful time of year to get outside and get some exercise! You will feel especially good about getting fit in the great outdoors this fall when you know you are also helping support two wonderful causes. ESP Performing Company is proud to announce their 6th Annual 5K Fundraiser “Halloween Edition,” where participants are encouraged to race in their Halloween best (nothing too scary, please). The most creatively costumed participant will receive a prize. The run/walk will take place Saturday, October 29, 2016, at Mount Saint Mary’s University in Emmitsburg. ESP will be donating a portion of the proceeds this year to Maggie Kudirka (aka “The Bald Ballerina”). Maggie, a Maryland native, was diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer at the age of twenty-three while she was dancing with the Joffrey Ballet Company in New York. Maggie has been a strong advocate for breast cancer awareness. A portion of the funds raised will go towards Maggie’s increasingly large medical bills.
ESP is currently accepting sponsorship and participants for the run/walk. Various sponsorship levels are available. Runners and walkers of all levels are encouraged to participate. The course is beautiful, especially in the fall, with the changing leaves. It has rolling hills to keep it interesting, but also has stretches of nice flat trails perfect for all levels of fitness. Registration is $25.00 for adults and $15.00 for students, and includes a custom Gnarly Artly t-shirt. You can register through any ESP Performing Company dancer, in person at ESP Dance at 15 Water Street in Thurmont, or on active.com or sites.google.com/site/espauttumnrun/.
Besides planning for the 6th Annual ESP Performing Company 5K Fundraiser, the dancers are hard at work with choreography and training for the new dance season. The dancers are eagerly looking forward to their next performance at Colorfest, both Saturday and Sunday at noon in the Town Park. They are also looking forward to their annual performance of Thriller at Halloween in The Park. The dancers will also primarily travel the DC/Metro area for regional conventions and competitions throughout the season, with their national competition taking place at the end of the season in Ocean City, Maryland. The dancers love to travel and work with master teachers from all over the world, but their favorite place to perform is for their home community.
ESP specializes in all types of dance, including tap, jazz, ballet, hip hop, acro, lyrical, and pointe. Classes are currently enrolling for the fall season. For more information contact the studio at 301-271-7458 or register on-line at espdance.com. Be sure to check them out on Facebook, as well. They thank the Thurmont Community, The Catoctin Banner, and also The Frederick Arts Council for their continued support.
