In Case You Missed It: UF Healthstreet’s 3rd Annual Night of Dance

HealthStreet’s third annual Night of Dance brought together a cross-section of Gainesville’s diverse communities for a night that was part dance party, part health fair, and all fun!

The night began with a ballad sung by Alyssa Berger followed by a session of yoga with Crimson Roe of Yoga Pod. Once the crowd was warmed up, The Mourning Glories took the stage and the Gainesville Old-time Dance Society hit the lawn. While the 5-piece band played, the caller, Andy Kane, sang out instructions to the crowd, encouraging everyone to grab a partner and follow along.

Night of Dance 2018 Kick off, pictured in this collage are the HealthStreet staff, Alyssa Berger, GODS w/ The Mourning Glories and Andy Kane, Yoga Pod

Next came several high-energy performances from local dance studios and UF dance groups intermingled with routines from a diverse group of performers including Gator Natyam, Allied Capoeira League, West African Dance with Barakissa, and a selection of classical Indian dance groups led by Manisha Ranade.

Pictured in this collage are performers from the 2018 Night of Dance including, Next Generation from Pofahl Dance Studio, Allied Capoeira League Gainesville, Manisha Ranade's classical Indian dance group, Extreme Dance Company at UF

The crowd was encouraged to visit with exhibitors from over 30 of Gainesville’s health and wellness organizations and to complete an exhibitor passport while doing so. Those who completed the passport were then entered into raffle drawings for a chance to win gift certificates to local restaurants and fitness centers, which were awarded throughout the night.

This collage shows some of the exhibitors at UF HealthStreet's Night of Dance 2018, plus a raffle drawing taking place on stage. Pictured is Allied Capoeira League Gainesville, Department of Health's Women, Infant and Children program, National Alliance on Mental Illness Gainesville, ElderCare of Alachua County, Trader Joe's, Right Care Alliance Gainesville, Meridian Behavioral Healthcare, Inc.

The kids took turns bouncing to the beat in a Bounce House sponsored by Patticakes on the Plaza and even had a surprise visit from a princess whose smile could melt a frozen heart.

Kids activities at Night of Dance 2018: Princess Anna came to visit, there was a bounce house donated by Patticakes, and sidewalk chalk for all!

A selection of food vendors rounded out the night’s festivities with offerings of everything from poke bowls to stuffed grilled-cheese sandwiches.

Visit our Facebook page to see video from some of the Night of Dance performers. If you’re interested in learning more about Night of Dance and HealthStreet, please visit our website or call 352-294-4870.