Today we’re excited to be connecting with Alicia Karczewski again. If you haven’t already, we suggest you check out our prior conversation with them here.

Alicia, we are so thrilled to be connecting again and can’t wait to hear about all the amazing things you have been up to. Before we jump into all of that, some of our readers might have missed our prior interview, so can you take a moment to reintroduce yourself?
I am Alicia Karczewski, Artistic Director and Owner of MOVE! Dance Space & Arts Center. Here at MOVE! we are focused on the “life-long” dancers providing classes that support and inspire adults to dance again and/or continuing dancing in an adult environment. Along with our dance classes we provide Yoga, Pilates Mat, Tai Chi, and Improvisation supplementing our philosophy that all movement is valued and if expressed with deeper focus and intentions movement supports mind, body and spirit – a whole self investment.
We present showcase performances of our dancers, inviting other community groups from around Colorado, so that we truly are an “arts center”. Through the last few years we have offered guest teachers from New York to California providing master classes for our students, and the community, to take advantage of. We also have developed a Fall Festival offering performance opportunities as well as an affordable platform for local artisans to sell their handcrafted goods. Additionally, a one class tap dance workshop has developed into a three day annual tap dance festival, “TAP-IN to Colorado Tap Dance Festival”, held in late summer that highlights master classes with guest instructors from New York/United States and highlighting our local instructors.
Lastly, many smaller organizations were in need of studio space a few hours week. MOVE! has become a community Co-Op of sorts providing affordable weekly studio space for several groups and organizations, including a non-profit dance company.

Awesome, so we reached out because we wanted to hear all about what you have been up to since we last connected.
Our newest adventure is SOLE MERGER Percussive Dance Company. SOLE MERGER aligns with all that we do here at MOVE!. SOLE MERGER started as an opportunity for our instructors, and a few of our professional dance students, an avenue to perform and create. SOLE MERGER is the resident dance company of MOVE!. and the philosophy embraces the artists path of risk, rule breaking, cultural reflection, and a dancers personal voice and their contributions to the group. “SOLE MERGER, a professional Percussive Dance Company; a movement arts merger.  Embracing the collaborative spirit by  merging tap dance with artistic exploration and curiosity while honoring its history and traditions. Sophisticated and playful.  Mystical and intelligent. An authentically human  approach to percussive dance.”

We also want to give folks a chance to get to know you a bit better so we’ve prepared a fun lightning round of questions. Ready?

Favorite Movie: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory

Favorite Book: Where the Crawdads Sing

Favorite TV Show: M.A.S.H.

Favorite Band or Artist: U2

Sweet or Savory: Cheese

Mountains or Beach: Dessert

Did you play sports growing up (if so which ones): No

As a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up: A dancer, writer or architect

French Fries or Onion Rings: French Fries

Favorite Cartoon growing up: Bugs Bunny

Favorite Childhood movie: Charlie Brown

What do you want people to remember about you and your brand? What are some of things that you feel are most important, unique, special, etc?
Our brand is about the community, not me. It’s about the students and the building in which we are housed. This building has been a stand alone dance studio since the 1970’s and is very special, groovy and inviting. We are carrying on with the magic and inspiration that this building and our students, instructors and surrounding community bring through the front doors. I personally would like to be remembered as tenacious, artistic, at times difficult, and humorous! You have to be headstrong and stubborn to be an authentic artist, staying true to your inner workings and not be influenced. And having my own business where I can express that, has helped me personally grow and live more deeply.

Image Credits
Martha Wirth Photography

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