Danceworks’ 18th Annual Mad Hot Rhythm Competition at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena on Thursday, April 25th

April 01, 2024, Milwaukee, WI — Over 1,200 fourth, fifth and sixth grade students in 48 South Eastern Wisconsin classrooms from 38 schools will show off their rhythmic dancing skills at the Danceworks Mad Hot Rhythm Competition on Thursday, April 25th! The public is invited to the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena (400 W. Kilbourn Ave. in Milwaukee) beginning at 10:00am to cheer on students as they compete in Afro Fusion, Swing Tap and Samba styles of dance as part of the Danceworks Mad Hot Rhythm program. Danceworks Executive Director, Julia Gray will present opening remarks to welcome and congratulate the students on their achievements. Finals and awards will begin at 12:30pm. The Danceworks Mad Hot Rhythm Competition is always free and open to the public, and guests are welcome to join throughout the day, or view via live stream on Danceworks Facebook page.

The competition is the culminating event for the 2023-24 Danceworks Mad Hot Rhythm program. Students spend two hours per week for 18 weeks learning routines for each style of dance—36 hours total over the school year. The program’s primary goals are to improve students’ self-confidence, respect for self and others, and attitudes toward physical activity.

This year’s Mad Hot Rhythm Competition marks a 6-year partnership with the Wisconsin Center District (WCD) to host the event at the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena. “Danceworks is truly grateful for all the community support of the Mad Hot Rhythm Program. This event could not be possible without the generous gift by the Wisconsin Center District staff and space. Thank you to everyone who believes not only in the program but the impact on the children of the greater Milwaukee area.”, Executive Director, Julia Gray. Transportation for all of the students to attend and compete at the event is generously supported by STRATTEC Security Corporation.

The 2023-24 Danceworks Mad Hot Rhythm program is funded through charitable contributions from a variety of foundations, corporations and individuals including but not limited to: Bader Philanthropies, United Performing Arts Fund, Forest County Potawatomi Foundation, CAMPAC, Milwaukee Arts Board, Wisconsin Arts Board, Woman’s Club of Wisconsin, Martin Family Foundation, STRATTEC, and We Energies Foundation.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. While it is believed to be reliable, Urban Milwaukee does not guarantee its accuracy or completeness.