More than 100 dancers from a Manteca studio that has taught faith-based dance since 1989 are set to take the stage in Ripon next weekend for the 37th annual staging of “The Heart of the Holidays.” Two performances are planned at The One Church, with the show arriving just as the studio navigates an uncertain future for its own physical space.
SONdance will present the production Friday, Nov. 20, at 7 p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 21, at 5 p.m. at The One Church, located at 1043 S. Acacia Ave. in Ripon, according to the Manteca Bulletin. Tickets cost $20, and the paper reports that interested attendees can get tickets and event details by calling the studio directly at 209-823-1740.
A Four-Decade Tradition Rooted in Faith
The studio describes itself as having provided “consistent, high-quality dance instruction in a faith-based environment” since 1989, per the Manteca Bulletin’s reporting. That long run has made SONdance something of a regional gathering point: the paper notes the studio represents families from more than 40 local churches, with dancers traveling from as far as Lodi and Merced, and from Oakdale to Tracy, to take part.
This year’s show promises the elements that have defined the program for years — colorful costumes, holiday music and narration, the Bulletin reports. SONdance’s own event page adds that the cast includes more than 100 dancers performing to what it calls inspiring music and spectacular costumes, according to SONdance’s website.
Studio Searching for New Space After Lease Decision
Behind the holiday cheer, SONdance is also dealing with a more practical challenge. The Manteca Bulletin reports that the studio decided not to renew its lease at the Promenade Shopping Center because of a substantial increase in lease rates, leaving it in search of a new home. Separately, SONdance’s own studio page states that its location will now be at 967 Lifestyle Street in the Bass Pro/JCPenney shopping center, though it is not clear from available information how that listing relates in time to the reported lease decision…