In a faltering economy, the San Francisco Dance Center is providing relief for the masses this Sunday, Feb. 15, with a $5 flat fee for a full day of dance classes. The “All You Can Dance” event will offer classes in a variety of styles – from flamenco to hip hop – and allow participants the choice of taking one class or an entire day of classes starting at 11:30 a.m. on the fifth floor of the SF Dance Center at 26 Seventh St. in San Francisco.
Could this be part of a growing trend as the financial crisis forces companies and studios to find creative solutions to engage audiences and encourage participation? Mystic Ballet just introduced “Pay-what-you-wish” pricing for their Feb. 14 “Love Stories” performance. A general admission price is merely suggested when you order tickets online along with a simple plea, “To help cover the costs of the performance, we ask that you please pay the suggested amount.” Ticket buyers are then given the opportunity to select “pay-what-you-wish” pricing, three levels of alternative ticket pricing levels.
Pacific Northwest Ballet’s $5 Friday events have become increasingly popular with patrons and regularly sell out. The informal previews are led by PNB director Peter Boal and feature PNB dancers in the rehearsal studio working on excerpts from upcoming ballets.
As economic realities force more arts organizations to look at the bottom line, companies will be putting their creativity to work offstage.
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