Small Shops 2017 - Give the Gift of Inspiration
By Aleta Parseghian
The holidays are all about gift giving, right? Buy every family member and friend something they may or may not need as a way to show them that you love them. Make sure there aren’t any empty spaces under the tree. Fill that stocking to the brim. Get your kids every single toy on their wish list. You’ll make room for it all somehow.
Seems a little overkill, right? Yet that’s how most of us operate during the holidays. American consumerism has been so heavily promoted that we’ve forgotten that there are other ways to celebrate the holidays and spoil our loved ones.
As a mother of two with limited space in my home and a limited budget, buying my kids dozens of gifts every Christmas is unrealistic. I have reached a point where we are now introducing a “no gift” policy for holidays and birthdays. And guess what? It works! For my daughter’s 11th birthday, I asked all her guests not to buy her gifts, but they could give her cash or gift cards if they chose to. She walked away with $250 in cash and $100 in gift cards and was SO much happier than if she’s gotten loads of toys she wasn’t interested in. She used the money to buy clothes and school supplies, and put the rest in her savings account.
While this is an easy concept to adopt for an older child, my 3-year-old might not be so receptive to the concept. But what she WOULD love is the gift of new experiences. She’s an active child who loves to learn and play. So this Christmas we are thinking about dance classes.
Providing young children with a fun activity that they can learn from, and possibly become passionate about, has far more long-term benefits than a toy that they’ll be bored with after a year.
With this in mind, here’s a list of local businesses that provide classes in dance, music, theater, and gymnastics for kids of all ages. I would encourage you to look into these as an alternative to the traditional holiday gift giving.
DANCE STUDIOS
The Dance Center 56 W. Sixth St, Santa Rosa 707-575-8277 thedancecenter.com
We offer a comprehensive dance program in six styles of dance: jazz, tap, ballet, modern, hip hop, and musical theater. Our highly experienced and caring teachers provide a positive learning environment for every student, at every age, and at every level of experience.
Footloose Dance Center 5681 Redwood Dr, Rohnert Park 707-584-8058 footloosedancecenter.com
Offering ongoing classes for ages 6+ in tap, flamenco, salsa, zumba, hip-hop, belly dancing, gyrokenesis, and cabaret jazz. New students accepted at any time!
Healdsburg Ballet 311 Monte Vista Ave, Healdsburg 707-431-7617 healdsburgballet.com
Our program serves students from their first encounter with music and movement to their emergence as young dancers. The curriculum is carefully designed to introduce correct technique and instruction at the appropriate age and physical development of the student.
The Movement Lab 986 Airway Ct, Ste C1, Santa Rosa 707-206-7444 dancersmovementlab.com
Expect a warm and friendly environment where everyone is treated with respect. Youth and adult classes in ballet, jazz, breaking, hip-hop and modern.
New World Ballet 905 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa 707-536-9523 newworldballet.com
We have a wide variety of classes available for kids and adults. We are offering classes ranging from Classical Ballet to Contemporary Ballet, Hip-Hop to Multi Cultural Classes.
Nordquist’s Dance nordquistdance.com 707-538-7618
Classes meet weekly on Tuesday nights October ~ March at the Santa Rosa Vets Building, 1351 Maple Ave, Santa Rosa. Provides a safe and comfortable environment where junior high and high school students learn so much more than just American Style social ballroom dancing. These classes build the student′s confidence and blend in a balance of social behavior, manners and dress for special occasions.
Sebastopol Ballet School 964 Gravenstein Hwy S Sebastopol 707-824-8006 sebastopolballet.com
We provide classical ballet training for students 3 and up in a supportive and encouraging environment. With educational and fun technique classes, as well as multiple performances all year. One of the most respected dance studios in Sonoma County.
Sonoma Conservatory of Dance 561 Broadway, Ste B, Sonoma 707-938-1424 sonomaconservatoryofdance.org
Under the Artistic Direction of Ms. Patricia O’Reilly, SCD offers the very highest quality classical ballet and dance instruction to youth and adults. Financial Aid is available for families in need.
Windsor Dance Academy 5455 Old Redwood Hwy, Santa Rosa 707-578-3217 windsordanceacademy.com
Ballet, Hip Hop, Jazz, Lyrical Ballet, and Acrobatics for kids of all ages. Includes monthly “mommy and me” classes, group dance lessons for ages 3-14, and teen/adult classes.
