On Thursday, October 7, AXIS Dance will bring their groundbreaking work to the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall at 7:30pm. Developed for dancers with and without disabilities, the performance will emphasize inclusion. Anyone can move, anyone can dance, regardless of his or her disability. Wheelchairs will whirl around in a blurred frenzy defying their original purpose; muscled limbs and high-tech prosthetics share the same stage; dancers who in life are not able to walk will seem to fly across the floor. The dances are nothing less than inspirational and will inspire the audience to do more with what they have.

The AXIS Dance Company communicates the philosophy of promoting physically integrated dance both on stage and in educational outreach efforts. While in the area, members of the group’s Dance Access team will take part in many activities, workshops and talkbacks whose message is to broaden the participants understanding of the physical abilities of the disabled. Master classes with dance majors will be held at Amherst and Hampshire College focusing on new ways to look at movement. The group will work with K-12 teachers where they will introduce ways to educate students about the diversity of dance while creating a better understanding of the capabilities and achievements of people with varying physical abilities. The workshop for teachers will be held on Tuesday, October 5 from 3:45pm – 6pm at the Fine Arts Center Concert Hall. The theatre is wheelchair accessible and Professional Development Points are available for this event. Teachers interested in participating can call Deborah Doulette of the Newspaper in Education program at the Daily Hampshire Gazette at 413-585-5289 . The Dance Access team will also work with physical therapy students at American International College. Using crutches, wheelchairs and other devices the participants will learn dance movements from the view of the disabled.

The public is invited to an open session at the Forum (Building C) Holyoke Community College at 11am – 12pm, Wednesday, October 6. The theatre is wheelchair accessible. Both the October 7th evening performance and the open session on October 6th will be ASL interpreted.

Tickets for the evening performance are $30, $25 and $15, 17 and under $10; Five College Students $15, $10 and $7 and can be purchased by calling 545-2511 or 800-999-UMAS.