'Footloose at the Fire Hall' promises fun

Next Wednesday, August 15, 5:30 to 8 p.m., the Sisters-Camp Sherman Fire Hall will be the setting for Footloose at the Fire Hall, an evening of free food and fun, seeing old friends, meeting new ones, and discovering - and rediscovering - popular dances of yesteryear and today.

The idea of the evening, according to Citizens4Community board member Amy Burgstahler, is to bring people in the community together to have fun while they "celebrate the fantastic community we live in." Breaking bread together, while meeting new people and recreating, makes for a healthier community, a goal of C4C.

A number of instructors will be on hand to help foster community engagement, teaching a variety of dances from the Hustle to the Cupid Shuffle to a circle dance. Perhaps the highlight of the evening will be the creation, by all the attendees, of a special Sisters dance, incorporating dance moves to convey our community. For example, what kind of move would represent the rodeo, or the Three Sisters, or Whychus Creek?

After the creation of the dance, people will get to choose a name for it, and perhaps it will show up at a later date as a flash mob somewhere.

C4C board member Jane Paxson, who formulated the idea for the event and has been busy pulling together the resources, will help lead the Cupid Shuffle. Her twin three-year-old grandsons will be joining her.

All ages and stages are invited, and no experience is necessary. If your neighbor needs a ride, why not bring them with you? Come alone or in a group and join in the festivities or watch from the sidelines.

Free dinner, starting at 5:30 p.m., will include sandwiches from Costco (veggie options available), salads from Melvin's by Newport Market, beverages, and cookies. Activities will start at 6 p.m. and people are invited to come when they can.

The evening represents a collaborative effort by a number of community organizations: C4C; Sisters Park & Recreation District; Sisters Athletic Club; Melvin's by Newport Market; Sisters-Camp Sherman Rural Fire District; and the Sisters Dance Academy.

Instructors who will be on hand with eclectic music and instruction, in addition to Paxson, include: Carol Ast-Milchen; Shannon Rackowski; Cameron Stoddard; and Jodi Winnwalker,

Footloose will be the second of three community events organized by C4C and their community partners. The first event, Rhythm and Song, held on July 19 at Village Green Park, saw approximately 225 people who cycled in and out during the event, according to C4C President Robyn Holdman. An estimated one-third of the participants were senior members of the community.

"Lots of families with young children enjoyed playing drums and other percussion instruments," Holdman reported.

The last summer event will be the Fiesta de Independencia at Fir Street Park on Sunday, September 16, to celebrate Mexican Independence Day, from 4 to 7 p.m., with food, fun, music and dancing.

"This summer we wanted to offer fun free events to strengthen relationships, build trust, and encourage collaboration," said Holdman.