Skip To Main Content

EHS Jazz Co. Ready for 41st Weekend of Dance

EHS Jazz Co. Ready for 41st Weekend of Dance

For more than four decades, EHS Jazz Co. has been one of the most visible student clubs in the district, putting on annual shows to great acclaim and exposing students and community members alike to various forms of dance. 

Beginning on Friday evening, EHS Jazz Co. will hold its 41st Weekend of Dance, a three-day event that will conclude on Sunday, February 2. But whereas last year’s 40th anniversary celebration cast its gaze back to the long, storied history of the club—featuring notable appearances from alumni—this year’s spectacular will embrace the future of the program, as elementary and middle schoolers will be taking the stage with current EHS Jazz Co. members. 

The weekend’s final performance—which will take place on Sunday at 1 p.m.—will see younger Eastchester students in grades 4-8 take the stage with the high school company, the result of a November event called ‘Discovering Dance’ that served as an introduction to the club for younger Eagles.

EHS Jazz Co. members rehearse for the 41st Weekend of Dance.

Senior Elli Fafalios, who has been a part of EHS Jazz Co. in each of her four years at the high school, said that exposing younger students to the world of dance can foster a true love for the art form and encourage the youngsters to look into joining the long-running troupe once they find themselves in high school. 

“When I was in fourth grade, I remember the older students would come and show us what they were doing in Jazz Co. and that’s something that stuck out to me and others as well,” said Fafalios. “That pushed me to join Jazz Co., and it speaks to the legacy of the club.”

Fellow senior Alison Monteleone concurred, noting that she and the rest of the EHS Jazz Co. members view youth outreach as a vital part of the club’s experience. 

“The older kids are excited to teach the younger ones,” she said. “We show them how Jazz Co. is run, and that gives them an idea about the club’s legacy.”

The idea of legacy is an important one for Jazz Co. members, added Monteleone, as it gives students the sense that they are part of something that is bigger than a single performance. 

“It’s so much fun because we like to uphold all those traditions that we have been taught throughout the years, and it’s really fun to live up to that,” said Monteleone.

“We always talk about how this is a family, and it’s amazing to see how many alumni continue to come back and help us as staff,” added Fafalios.

EHS Jazz Co.’s 41st Weekend of Dance will kick off on Friday at 7 p.m., with repeat performances on Saturday (7 p.m.) and on Sunday afternoon (1 p.m.). 

For students gearing up for their last Jazz Co. performance, the chance to hand the reins to future generations of Eastchester dancers will be a poignant, bittersweet affair, noted Monteleone.

“We bond every year, but as a senior, it’s different; we’ve had a lot of fun preparing for the show. I think it’s one of the best ones that we have had so far, and everyone is really happy with their numbers,” said Monteleone. “It’s kind of surreal being a senior; it feels like it just happened suddenly.” 

Tickets for EHS Jazz Co.’s 41st Weekend of Dance can be purchased HERE.

  • Arts
  • District
  • EHS