Forward Motion Dance Company, Inc., is a Wilmington, NC, based non-profit 501(c)(3) dance organization whose mission is to provide local and regional communities with quality modern contemporary dance and education in the art of dance, as well as enhance the local arts community by providing performance opportunities for area dancers and performance artists.
Forward Motion Dance Company has a vision to find innovative ways to bring dance to the community, and cultivate an understanding and love of this art form. The company was founded by dancer and choreographer Tracey Varga in 2001 and incorporated in 2004, although Tracey has been dancing and choreographing in Wilmington since relocating from Seattle in 1996. Forward Motion Dance sponsors and co-sponsors public arts performances such as "Cape Fear Arts in Motion" and “Arts Sensation”, and offers education for schools and community organizations including the Snipes Academy of Arts and Design, Wilmington School of Ballet, DREAMS of Wilmington, The Dance Element, The Dance Cooperative, and the YWCA Lower Cape Fear.
Forward Motion Dance Company is a volunteer organization, and wishes to thank all those who donate their valuable time for rehearsal, performance, production, collaboration and fundraising efforts. The Board of Directors is Mary Scott Bethune, Diane Evers, Stella Johnson, Becky Spivey, Susan Turner, Elizabeth White, and Company Choreographer and Director Tracey Varga. Company Dancers are Kara Abbott, Savannah Brooks, Nicole Dalier, Trilby Shier, Becky Spivey, and Susan Turner. If you are interested in volunteering, sponsorship, or an opportunity to become a board member, please speak to any member of the company or board.
Forward Motion Dance Company is honored to be a recipient of grants over the years from the Women’s Impact Network of New Hanover County, the Arts Council of Wilmington and New Hanover County and the North Carolina Arts Council, the Landfall Foundation, NC Cares for the Arts, and the American Rescue Plan for the Arts, all to continue our mission to provide collaborative, contemporary dance performances in local venues which highlight the talents of Choreographer Tracey Varga and many wonderful dancers, musicians, and visual and vocal artists.
Events
2024 |
|
September 19-20 |
Cape Fear Arts in Motion, Thalian Hall, Forward Motion Dance Company Annual Performance |
September 6 |
Enchanting Evening on Edgewater, Fundraiser |
April 26 |
20th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for Plastic Ocean Project |
April 12 |
Wilmington Dance Festival, Kenan Auditorium, Performance |
March 24 |
Sunset Cocktail Party, Fundraiser, The Penthouse |
2023 |
|
September 21-22 |
Cape Fear Arts in Motion, Thalian Hall, Forward Motion Dance Company Annual Performance |
April 21 |
19th Annual Arts Sensation at Community Arts Center, A Benefit for The Good Shepherd Center |
February 26 |
Sunset Cocktail Party, Fundraiser, The Penthouse |
|
|
2022 |
|
November 17 |
Dance-a-lorus, Thalian Hall Main Stage, Performance |
September 22-23 |
Cape Fear Arts in Motion, Thalian Hall, Forward Motion Dance Company Annual Performance |
May 6-7 |
Wilmington Dance Festival, Kenan Auditorium, Performance |
March 3 |
Pierre Bensusan, Community Arts Center, Guest performances |
2021 |
|
November 14 |
Dance-a-lorus, Thalian Hall Main Stage, Performance |
October 17 |
Peace Through Music Concert, Community Arts Center, Guest performance |
2020 |
|
November 19 |
Dance-a-lorus, Kenan Auditorium Parking Lot, UNCW, Performance |
May 3 |
Sunset Cocktail Party, Fundraiser, Jesse’s Yacht Club (CANCELLED) |
April 17 |
19th Annual Arts Sensation at Community Arts Center, A Benefit for The Good Shepherd Center (CANCELLED) |
March 7 |
Pierre Bensusan, Community Arts Center, Guest performances |
2019 |
|
September 13-14 |
Cape Fear Arts in Motion, Thalian Hall , Forward Motion Dance Company Annual Performance |
August 25 |
Sunset Cocktail Party, Fundraiser, The Penthouse |
April 26 |
18th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for WARM |
March 22-23 |
Wilmington Dance Festival, Kenan Auditorium, Performance |
February 24 |
Sunset Cocktail Party, Fundraiser, The Penthouse |
2018 |
|
October 12 |
Cape Fear Arts in Motion, Thalian Hall, Forward Motion Dance Company Annual Performance |
April 28 |
17th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for Cape Fear River Watch |
August 12 |
Sunset Cocktail Party, Fundraiser, The Penthouse |
April 6-7 |
Wilmington Dance Festival, Kenan Auditorium, Performance |
February 11 |
Forward Motion Dance Benefit & Wine Tasting, Ted’s Fun on the River |
|
|
2017 |
|
September 15-16 |
Cape Fear Arts in Motion, Thalian Hall, Forward Motion Dance Company Annual Performance |
August 17 |
Cameron Art Museum, Performance |
August 6 |
Sunset Cocktail Dance Party, Fundraiser, The Penthouse |
July16 |
Lumina Festival, Performance |
May 6 |
16th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for Cape Fear River Watch |
March 31-April 1 |
Wilmington Dance Festival, Kenan Auditorium, Performance |
March 19 |
Dance Audition for Arts Sensation, 4:30 at the Wilmington School of Ballet |
February 19 |
Forward Motion Dance Benefit & Wine Tasting, Ted’s Fun on the River |
|
|
2016 |
|
September 16-17 |
Cape Fear Arts in Motion, Thalian Hall, Forward Motion Dance Company Annual Performance |
April 29 |
15th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for Cape Fear River Watch |
August 25 |
Cameron Art Museum, Performance |
April 15-16 |
Wilmington Dance Festival, Community Arts Center, Performance |
February 4 |
Forward Motion Dance Benefit & Wine Tasting, Ted’s Fun on the River |
2015 |
|
February 5 |
Forward Motion Dance Benefit & Wine Tasting, Ted’s Fun on the River |
April 16 |
14th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for Lower Cape Fear Hospice |
August 13 |
Cameron Art Museum, Performance |
September 17-18 |
Cape Fear Arts in Motion, Thalian Hall, Forward Motion Dance Company Annual Performance |
2014 |
|
September 12-13 |
Cape Fear Arts in Motion, Thalian Hall, Forward Motion Dance Company Annual Performance |
August 28 |
Cameron Art Museum, Performance |
March 15 |
13th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for Kids Making It |
February 13 |
Forward Motion Dance Benefit & Wine Tasting, Ted’s Fun on the River |
February 7-9 |
North Carolina Dance Festival, Community Arts Center, Performance |
2013 |
|
June 27-29 |
Forward Motion Dance Company, Community Arts Center, Annual Performance |
April 5 |
12th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for the Arts Council of Wilmington & New Hanover County |
February 21-23 |
The Big Read, Cameron Art Museum, Performance |
February 9 |
Forward Motion Dance Benefit & Wine Tasting, Projekte |
January 11-13 |
North Carolina Dance Festival, UNCW, Performance |
|
|
2012 |
|
September 8 |
Dance Blast, Community Arts Center, Performance |
June 28-30 |
Forward Motion Dance Company, Community Arts Center, Annual Performance |
June 14 |
Cameron Art Museum, Performance |
March 22 |
11th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for Indo Jax Surf Charities |
February 24-26 |
North Carolina Dance Festival, Performance |
February 11 |
Forward Motion Dance Benefit & Wine Tasting, Projekte |
2011 |
|
November 10 |
Dance-a-lorus, Performance |
July 28-30 |
Forward Motion Dance Company, Community Arts Center, Annual Performance |
June 23 |
Cameron Art Museum, Performance |
May 26 |
Dance Cooperative 10th Anniversary Concert, Performance |
April 17 |
10th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for the Full Belly Project |
February 5-6 |
North Carolina Dance Festival, Performance |
2010 |
|
November 11 |
Dance-a-lorus, Performance |
October 29 |
Haunt, Cameron Art Museum, Performance |
August 19 |
9th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for the Full Belly Project |
September 10 |
Dance Blast, Community Arts Center, Performance |
June 10-12 |
Forward Motion Dance Company, Community Arts Center, Annual Performance |
May 20 |
Cameron Art Museum, Performance |
May 29 |
WE Fest at Soapbox Laundro-lounge, Performance |
April 30 |
Domestic Violence Shelter 18th Annual Silent Auction & Fashion Show, Hilton Wilmington Riverside, Performance |
April 13-14 |
Arts Poetica, Community Arts Center, Performance |
February 26-28 |
North Carolina Dance Festival, Performance |
2009 |
|
November 11 |
Dance-a-lorus, Performance |
August 8 |
HOT FEET…COOL BEAT! Forward Motion Dance Company and the Wilmington Big Band at Thalian Hall, Performance |
June 26-27 |
Forward Motion Dance Company, Community Arts Center, Annual Performance |
May 22-23 |
WE Fest at Soapbox Laundro-lounge, Performance |
April 16 |
8th Annual Arts Sensation at Thalian Hall, A Benefit for the Full Belly Project |
February 27-March 1 |
North Carolina Dance Festival, Performance |
February 12 |
Forward Motion Dance Benefit & Wine Tasting, Bottega Art & Wine |
January 29 |
Cameron Art Museum, Performance |
2008 |
|
November 15 |
Kids at CAM, Featured Artist and Company |
November 12 |
Dance-a-lorus, Performance |
October 25 |
WE Fest at Soapbox Laundro-lounge, Performance |
August 2008 |
Sarus Festival, Performance |
August 16 |
Swoon: A Celebration of Women in Music, Bottega Art & Wine, Performance |
June 12-15 |
Forward Motion Dance Company, Thalian Hall Studio Theatre, Annual Performance |
June 8 |
Cameron Art Museum, Performance |
April 17 |
7th Annual Arts Sensation at City Stage, A Benefit for the Good Shepherd House |
February 13 |
Forward Motion Dance Benefit & Wine Tasting, The Wine Sampler |
February 1 |
Cameron Art Museum, Performance |
2007 |
|
November 7 |
Dance-a-lorus, Performance |
September 14 |
David Pray & Aqua Viva at Cameron Art Museum, Performance |
June 21-24 |
Forward Motion Dance Company, Thalian Hall Studio Theatre, Annual Performance |
Summer 2007 |
“Reflections on Tomorrow” YWCA summer program, Producer |
May 31 |
Forward Motion Dance Benefit & Wine Tasting, Bottega Art & Wine |
May 12 |
Celebrate Hampstead, Performance |
May 4 |
New Horizons School, Interactive performance & demonstration |
April 29 |
6th Annual Arts Sensation Benefit, City Stage |
April 27 |
Domestic Violence Shelter Fashion Show, Dancers perform & model |
January 26 |
Cameron Art Museum, Performance |
January 17 |
YWCA Annual Meeting, Volunteer Appreciation Award received |
2006 |
|
November 2006 |
Dance-a-lorus, Performance |
November 11-12 |
Celebrate the Arts Festival, Performance |
September 2006 |
Film Studios for Leadership, Wilmington Chamber of Commerce, Performance |
Summer 2006 |
YWCA Summer Camp, Creative Arts Dance Program |
June 22-25 |
Forward Motion Dance Company, Thalian Hall Studio Theatre, Annual Performance |
April 2006 |
GWACA Meeting at Cameron Art Museum, Performance |
May 2006 |
UNCW Adult Scholars Program, Performance |
May 18 |
Forward Motion Dance Benefit with The Wine Sampler, Bijou Restaurant |
April 2 |
5th Annual Arts Sensation Benefit, City Stage |