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Community Corner

GardenHood and Others Rally Around Dance Truck

Community support will make upcoming show, PLOT, possible

Atlanta’s circle of giving just keeps going ‘round and ‘round.

In one unique case of dance, gardening and goodwill, Grant Park’s own GardenHood, a retail garden center, has shown its giving spirit with Dance Truck, a mobile dance troupe based in East Atlanta.

Almost every one of the 17 performances Dance Truck has put on since its formation in October 2009 has been free to the public at various events and happenings throughout the city. They show up in a truck or trucks (hence, the name) and surprise and engage the crowd with their dance pieces, providing access to impressive performing arts.

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July 28 will mark the group's largest and most epic performance to date: PLOT. Basically taking over The Goat Farm in West Midtown, PLOT is “a performance inspired by the universe of wonder within a plot of earth” by choreographer Blake Beckham. There will be shows July 28-31.

Because of the large scale of production and costs associated with PLOT, the event will be ticketed ($20 per person), yet ticket sales will only cover 22 percent of the production budget.

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That’s where generous donors like GardenHood and The Goat Farm come in.

GardenHood lent supplies to Dance Truck, hosted a “flower hour” to raise funds and awareness, and just last Saturday, July 16, it hosted a Shoe Planting Party to create shoe planters that will be used in PLOT performances (as well as a drive to collect the shoes).

The shoe goal was met: 200 shoes were planted and are ready for the show.

“GardenHood has no reason to be loyal to us other than they’re fascinated with how Dance Truck is operating in Atlanta,” said Dance Truck co-founder Malina Rodriguez, an East Atlanta resident.

“They have been such incredible neighbors and taken on a large role, not only with the funds they’re trying to raise for us, but the longevity, having started this process months ago, holding events, collecting shoes. It’s a long-term commitment.”

Dance Truck needs to raise $8,500 through donations and sponsorships to pay their artists and crew a modest stipend. The group has established a “chip in” site that provides more details.

It’s not just GardenHood that has donated to help Dance Truck continue their service to the community.

“So many people are stepping up to volunteer. I have a neighbor lending me his truck. We’ve been borrowing a lot of equipment from local theater companies. It takes a village,” Rodriguez said. 

“It’s really powerful. I haven’t gotten any 'no’s' for this project when I’ve asked for help,” said Danny Davis, co-founder of Dance Truck.

Modesty can’t hurt when it comes to the community rallying behind you.

“Blake [Beckham] will be the first person to say she doesn’t need to get paid. And she’s the choreographer!” Rodriguez said.

GardenHood store manager Kacey Cloues witnesses the modesty and appreciation through their mutually beneficial partnership.

“Dance Truck is so firmly rooted in the community,” Cloues said.

“They always include everyone that helped them along the way. Anytime they get mentioned, they mention those that helped them. If all small businesses did that, we’d go a lot further.”

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