Genia Johnson Dance Company, Inc

November 2024 Newsletter!

Studio is OPEN.

The studio will be open per usual on Election Day. We only close on the days listed in our newsletter calendar year unless for inclement weather, etc. Please see schedule below.

Leaps & Leaves !

Happy November Dance Fam! Our classes have been buzzing with energy, and it was so much fun to see everyone in costume for Halloween week—our dancers truly got into the spirit! From creative costumes to festive choreography, it was a week to remember. We’re thrilled to keep up this momentum as we head into the next few months with special events and plenty of opportunities to shine. Let's keep the joy and dedication going strong as we continue to grow this season of dance together!

Please LIKE and FOLLOW our studio pages on Facebook and Instagram (GeniaJohnsonDanceCo) so that you can stay up to date with events, fun class pictures, weather closings and updates.

Parade Information!

The Colonial Heights Christmas Parade will be on Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024 at 7pm. The studio will be CLOSED for all regularly scheduled classes that night. We hope that everyone will participate! Below is some information for both dancers and float riders, so please make sure you read all of the information!

Sign ups sheets are still located on the information station and preorder of our 2024 Parade crewneck sweatshirts can be done NOW at the front office with Mrs Sarah.

Dancers:

Dancers MUST be ages 9+ with at least 1-2 years of jazz experience or teacher rec! There is a dancer fee of $45 ,which covers rehearsals and a costume rental and is due by November 11th. Dancers will also have to purchase the correct tights, jazz shoes, and any undergarments necessary.

Practice for dancers will be from 8-9:30am on November 9th, 16th, 23rd, & 30th.

If you still need to sign up your dancer to dance in the parade, the sign-up sheet is located on the Information Station in the lobby!

** Parents/Guardians will not be allowed to walk with or alongside the dancers.

Float Riders:

All ages are welcome to ride the float during the parade! Anyone riding the float will be required to wear the 2024 GJDC Christmas Sweatshirt or a past GJDC parade logo sweatshirt. The 2024 Christmas sweatshirts are available NOW to pre-order at the front office until November 12th. They are $37 per sweatshirt. After November 12th, there will be a limited quantity available and they will be $45 per sweatshirt paid by cash, check, venmo/paypal only. There is a sign-up sheet for float riders at the Information Station in the front lobby if you have not signed up yet! All young riders (6/7 and under) will need to have a parent/guardian ride with them on the float.

** Teachers will not be available to supervise unattended children.

** Anyone can pre-order a Parade 2024 sweatshirt!

We will be sending out more information about meeting times and other details for the day of the parade once we receive our packet and lineup information from the city, so be on the lookout for that information.

Winter Clothing Drive!

We are collecting clean, gently used coats and other items for the winter season!! Your donations can make a real difference for those in need. Simply drop off your gently loved or new, clean coats and jackets, mittens, and hats at the studio—our donation bin is set up in the front lobby for your convenience. All sizes are greatly needed.

Together, we can help keep our community warm this winter!

GJDC October Students of the Month!

We’re super excited to share our October 2024 GJDC Students of the Month! Our teachers and staff put their heads together and came up with a great group of kids who have shown great work ethic, great attendance and always on time and prepared, kindness to their peers, and who were polite and respectful to their teachers. A few may have stepped out of their box or did an act of kindness when no one was watching (but they were caught!)..... We are so proud of them and hope that your kindness, love, and positivity will spread like your favorite Glitter!! 💜 🖤 💜

🎉Congratulations 🎉

✨ Enaya Williams

✨Grace Andrews

✨Caroline Hamner

✨Amari Brooks

✨Amelia Piekanski

✨Jenevieve Reilly

✨Emersyn Snow

Stop by the front office for something special and a picture to celebrate!

GJDC Company Boosters

Hi friends! Thank you to everyone who has supported the Company Dance Team Boosters so far this season! We hope you have enjoyed your popcorn and Chick-Fil-A as much as we have.

Heading into our next fundraisers, we have some fan favorites - Brunswick stew and our annual Christmas ornament!!

Brunswick Stew
Stew is prepared by local stew-master, Bill Feasenmyer and can be purchased for $10 a quart online at https://gjdc-company-boosters.square.site/product/brunswick-stew-1-quart/5?cs=true&cst=popular

It will be ready for pickup at the Optimist Club of Colonial Heights (916 Meridian Ave, Colonial Heights, VA 23834) on Saturday, November 23.

Annual Christmas Ornament

This year’s ornament celebrates the diverse dancers we have at GJDC! This year’s ornament is $15 and will be on display in the studio lobby soon! It can be ordered online at https://gjdc-company-boosters.square.site/product/2024-gjdc-christmas-ornament/19?cs=true&cst=popular. After placing your order, Boosters will reach out to you to coordinate delivery.

GJDC Calendar of EVENTS: 2024-25

Costume Measuring Begins!!

Monday, November 11th

Please make every effort to have students in all of their classes in the correct dress code. *This is available on our website.

Thanksgiving Week!

November 25-30th, 2024

Studio CLOSED

71st Annual Colonial Heights Christmas Parade!

Tuesday, December 3rd, 2024/7pm

Studio CLOSED this day/no classes today.

Sign-ups for Float Riders and Dancers are available at the Information Station in the Front Lobby! Keep an eye out for the email with more information and details coming soon!

Winter Break!

December 23, 2024-January 5, 2025

Studio CLOSED

Studio Closings/Inclement Weather Policy

*The studio will be OPEN for all other holidays/special days and events on regular or school calendars during this time in 2024/25 unless otherwise noted above.

*In the event of inclement weather, GJDC follows Colonial Heights City AND Chesterfield County school closings. We will post on all of our social media (Facebook & Instagram) and send out a studio email by 11am of our status. We will also update on NBC12 online, Channel 8 and CBS6 when available. HOWEVER, in certain cases of one closing and not the other, we will best address the current situation and make a decision which best suits the safety of all involved.

*If schools cancel after school activities due to inclement weather and GJDC is already open, we may choose to remain open or close at an earlier time depending on the current situation. Parents must use their best judgement if classes continue and you need to venture out, depending on your location.

*Makeup classes are not available in the event of missed classes due to inclement weather.

GJDC Company Season 23 !

Our GJDC Company Team has started it's season with a bang!! We traveled to Columbia, SC in mid October for the Ignite Dance Convention weekend and traveled to Myrtle Beach, SC this past weekend for the Showstopper Dance Convention weekend. They concentrate on technique, foundational skills and new choreography from teachers from all over the country!! Students took classes in ballet, hip hop, jazz, turns and leaps, belly dancing and everything in between! It was a great time had by all. They will be traveling to Myrtle Beach, SC again in December (right after the parade!) for the Showstoppers Holiday Classic where they will compete on the big stage for the first time this season. Wish them well and high 5 them if you see them!!

Juice Plus: One Simple Change

Healthy Start for your heart... and SO MUCH MORE!!

Interested in learning how one simple habit could dramatically impact your health !? Hard getting your kids to eat fruit and veggies??!

Juice Plus is whole food nutrition (it has a Nutrition label, NOT a supplement label!) in a capsule, with chews available for the kids! Learn how you can join the Healthy Starts for Families program and receive Juice Plus for your child for FREE with your order!!

Healthy Starts for Families Video

https://vimeo.com/604186771

About Juice Plus - Bridging the Gap

https://youtu.be/RdKKUXpJxaI

Check out the products here!

http://www.geniawilliams.juiceplus.com