Celebrate Grand Opening of New Dancewave Center

GOWANUS – After 11 years at 45 4th Avenue, the non-profit community dance and youth development center Dancewave has moved a few blocks south and will host a ribbon-cutting ceremony and block party to celebrate its new home.

Located at 182 4th Avenue, the new Gold LEED-certified facility is three times the size of Dancewave’s former venue, allowing the center to expand its programming and offer more than dance classes, Founder and Artistic Director Diane Jacobowitz explained. The new facility will include all art forms and host community events. She invites all to the new space—even non-dancers, saying, “Come in, without the fear ‘I can’t dance.’ We’re doing more than just dance.”

Jacobowitz signed the lease for 182 4th Avenue (at Degraw Street) back in 2013 and worked with Studio Joseph to transform the industrial space into a modern arts facility featuring two dance studios that open up to a performance space.

The celebration kicks off on Friday, June 7 (9am) with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and a keynote speech from Tom Finkelpearl, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Cultural Affairs. Lorraine Grillo, Commissioner of the NYC Department of Design & Construction, Assembly Member Jo Anne Simon, and other officials will also be at the event.

Then on Saturday, June 8, Dancewave will host a grand opening block party (12pm—7pm) with hip-hop DJ Chuck Chillout serving as master of ceremonies. There will be live performances, free classes, games, giveaways, tours of the new center, and more. Check out the Inaugural In-Studio Performance at 5pm, a showcase of Dancewave companies, alumni, and a special guest. Tickets for the performance are $10 (seating is limited).

Jacobowitz founded Dancewave in 1995 to provide a supportive dance environment that encourages individuality and promotes personal growth. At a time when creative facilities are becoming sparse in the city, Jacobowitz is grateful to be able to open the new community arts center in 2019, saying, “It’s a wonderful achievement for us and for all of Brooklyn.”

Learn more at Dancewave.org.