For over 50 years, through three generations, The Vanaver Caravan Dance and Music Company has been an integral and beloved part of the Hudson Valley community: promoting peace, celebrating our shared humanity, and transforming young lives through the magic of music and dance.
REGISTRATION IS OPEN
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SUMMERDANCE
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CARAVANKIDS
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SPRINGDANCE
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REGISTRATION IS OPEN ☀️ SUMMERDANCE ☀️ CARAVANKIDS 🌷 SPRINGDANCE 🌷
Upcoming Events & Performances
One of the best kept secrets in the Hudson Valley. The Beltane Pageant is a performance of myth, magic, and puppetry which fuses the pomp and whimsy of a Renaissance fair with the delights of a springtime picnic gala. Don your best fairy wings and join us! TICKETS: https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/4709fb05-2ab5-4f95-86c8-295840bd782d
Mark your calendars for our culminating performance of SummerDance. The show is directed by Brian T. Lawton and co-created by the dancers and faculty during the last week of SummerDance.
Classes & Workshops:
Register now for Spring classes! Series begins: April 2 - ends: June 3rd. Culminating dance recital pageant at Beltane Spring Festival, May 8, 2024. LEARN MORE & REGISTER
CaravanKids workshops are two weeks bursting with dance, music, creativity, and adventure. Each day, we go to a new country, meeting with different teachers from around the world. Little ones receive secret missions from fairies, embark on creative projects, and stamp their special passport journal. LEARN MORE & REGISTER
CaravanKids workshops are two weeks bursting with dance, music, creativity, and adventure. Each day, we go to a new country, meeting with different teachers from around the world. Little ones receive secret missions from fairies, embark on creative projects, and stamp their special passport journal. LEARN MORE & REGISTER
SummerDance: Immersion Week is dedicated to the pure joy and community connection created by The Vanaver Caravan’s dance & music program. Whether you are looking to improve your dance technique, relieve stress, or get inspired to choreograph, strum, or sing--Immersion Week provides a full introduction to a myriad of dance and music styles from a stellar group of teachers. LEARN MORE & REGISTER
SummerDance: Performance Week culminates at a public performance at the Rosendale Theatre on the evening of August 9th. All Summer-Dancers take the skills they learned during the previous week and bring their dance to life, choreographed by the SummerDance Faculty. LEARN MORE & REGISTER
Caravan Happenings:
This past Friday marked the 33rd Annual Calico Ball in Beacon. The entire third grade of the Beacon City School District (12 classes and over 100 students) took to the stage of the Pete and Toshi Seeger Theatre at the Beacon High School—eight and nine-year-olds dressed up in Lederhosen and Carnivale masks weaving through the current of high school students between bells to get to the backstage wings. The high schoolers had all been part of the Calico ball when they were in third grade, of course, so none of this seemed out of place.
“When I come into the High School,” reflects Livia. . .
A year ago, our artistic founders, administrative team and board of directors gathered to envision the future we hope to see for this nonprofit. We worked together to understand the impact and possibilities that exist within the Caravan’s legacy. The emerging vision for the future is one in which this organization continues to thrive, inspire, and nurture community for another half a century. We enter into 2023 with an important shift in company leadership: the Vanavers are officially passing the torch to the next generation. Never fear . . .
Give the Gift of Dance
Help The Vanaver Caravan reach our goal to raise funds for 10 full scholarships in 2023.
Shop Merchandise
Deck yourself out in our soft cotton t-shirts, stay hydrated with a water bottles, throw on a pair of sunglasses, or a cozy hoodie!
Performances
For half a century, the Caravan has inspired audiences across the globe. Our down home, high-spirited performances will have you clapping your hands, stomping your feet, and singing along with all the dancers and musicians on stage.
School programs
We teach so much more than dance steps. Our immersive arts-education programs promote diversity, community-building, and cultural understanding. Our work has brightened classrooms for thousands of students around the world.
Dance Institute
We offer a variety of dance classes and special workshops for children, teens, and adults throughout the Mid-Hudson Valley. Students who train in our institute learn styles taught by world-renowned dancers, in a wholesome atmosphere.
Remembering Sarah (Sally) Stackhouse by Livia Vanaver
In 1967 I was dancing with Fred Berk's Hebraica Dancers, the resident company at the 92nd Street Y, . At age 16, I was the youngest member of the Company, There were several dancers who were going to the American Dance Festival that summer at Connecticut College in New London. It was the first summer ADF included a special teen program. The Jose Limon Co was in residence there. I fell in love with them . . . but most especially with Sally. I followed her around like a puppy. I snuck into the . . .