Positively Dance is preparing for its annual Spring Showcase on Sunday,

April 21, at Dowagiac Middle School Performing Arts Center, with shows at 1 p.m. and 5 p.m.

Tickets may be purchased in advance from any Positively Dance member or at MKSOD Dance studios in Dowagiac, Decatur and Niles.

Ticket prices are $5 for adults and $3 for students when purchased in advance.

Tickets are also available at the door; door prices are $7 for adults and $5 for students.

Spring Showcase highlights performances by all 32 members of

Positively Dance.

These dancers are students of MKSOD Dance and represent many communities

in southwest Michigan, including Dowagiac, Cassopolis, Decatur, Edwardsburg, Niles, Hartford, Eau Claire, Paw Paw, Watervliet and Goshen, Ind.

These dancers will also perform for approximately 1,500 students of

local school districts on April 19.

On Saturday, April 27, Positively Dance will hold a pancake breakfast

benefit for Miss MacKenzie Bunn, a former dance troupe member and now

instructor/choreographer at MKSOD.

Miss MacKenzie was diagnosed with a rare blood disease and is undergoing treatments through the University of Michigan.

Pancakes will be served at Patrick Hamilton Elementary School from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on April 27.

Tickets cost $5 for adults, $4 ages 12 and under and are available from Positively Dance members, at the MKSOD studios and at the door.

Positively Dance will also be using its talents to raise funds and awareness

of childhood cancer while attending the Schoolcraft Showcase of Talent

on May 11.

This event benefits southwest Michigan families with a child suffering from cancer, as well as the Cookies for Kids with Cancer organization.

The Positively Dance competition team recently participated in the Dance

America regional competitions in Aurora, Ill., and Detroit.

They had extremely good results, binging home 38 first places, eight seconds, eight

thirds, three fourths and seven merit awards.

Special awards were received by many dances including Best Choreography, two high score awards, five runner-up high score awards and Best Emotional Execution.

Positively Dance also had 17 dancers nominated for Dancer of the Year

semifinalists.

This nomination allows dancers to participate in a special program at the Dance America National Competition.

In the senior category nominees are: Maddy Carter, Edwardsburg; Mary Green, Cassopolis; Nicole Irwin, Cassopolis; Marilla Opra, Decatur; Katherine Pielemeier, Dowagiac;

Jenna Tidey, Eau Claire; Sarah Wagner, Watervliet; Alyssa Wainwright,

Dowagiac; Sarah Wright, Cassopolis; Paulina Yu, Paw, Paw; and Savanna Yu,

Paw Paw.

In the junior category nominees include: MiKayla Bunn, Paw Paw;

Gabrielle Davis, Cassopolis; Brooklynn Hill, Dowagiac; Caroline McLoughlin,

Dowagiac; Elizabeth Stockwell, Dowagiac; and Mary Wright, Cassopolis.

Positively Dance is directed by Kathy Miller. Choreographers for the group

are Kathy Miller, Heidi Williams, Amanda Hewitt, MacKenzie Bunn, Lindsey

Scott, Mallory Cox, Emily Rumpf and Paulina Yu.

Positively Dance is preparing for a busy summer with parades, community

performances and national competition in Schaumburg, Ill.

If you would like more information on upcoming events or to buy tickets for the spring

show, contact any Positively Dance member or call the MKSOD Dowagiac studio at (269) 782-7869.