The year was 1986 – Chance to Dance was born. It began as a joint venture between Rhode Island State Council on the Arts and Dance Alliance of RI. The first schools were Barrington Elementary and Middle, Roger Williams Middle. Wickford Elementary, Jamestown, Wheeler and Moses Brown. 

The first performance took place at Roberts Auditorium (May 22, 1987) on the campus of Rhode Island College. SLEEQuE FEET became the outreach portion of the program, and “Can’t Stop Dancin’” became the signature piece for this group and through the years the show always finishes with this showpiece number. Chance to Dance was on the map.

The 1987-88 school year brought updates and changes. The program was invited to appear at Providence Performing Arts Center for the annual performance. The show began to take shape in the form of themes that connected the dances. Act II would also reflect something important about RI.  Children were invited to contribute artwork and writing.  Both kinds of student work appeared in the program book. Parent volunteers became a strong part of the program

The year also debuted FIRST NIGHT.  SLEEQuE FEET, from the previous January, were invited to the kick-off celebration. This collaboration continued for many more years until all the “acts” were professionals.

The 1988-89 school year brought more successes. PPAC invited us to use the performance space again. We had a permanent home to perform our annual show.  In-school coordinators became much more active in helping with classes and performances.   SLEEQuE FEET performed at First Night and at a regional conference for Physical Education and Dance.

1989-90 More local performances for SLEEQuE FEET. Classes performed at the Gov. Inauguration

1999 - 91 Two really big things happened this year. We had so many schools that we expanded to two performances. We also had our money caught in the banking crisis shut down. In order to keep expenses down we did one performance at Hope High school and another at PPAC. The show was the same but with two sets of kids. ALL SLEEQuE FEET performed in both shows.   

Another first was student designed commemorative T-shirts. Shana Davis of Jamestown held that honor.  Eryn Simon designed the SLEEQuE FEET shirt that is still the design that is used.    

1991-92 This year the enrollment of schools warranted 3 performances so all the students would have equal time on stage. There were two performances at Hope High School and one at Providence Performing Arts Center. 

1992-93  “Jump Feet First Into the Arts” was a new slogan created by Karen Mellor and is still used today. 

1993-94 This year Chance to Dance has 36 classes across the state. SLEEQuE FEET was still performing when asked at Conferences, meetings, Malls and Fairs. They even met during the summer to ready themselves for performances at these Fairs. Act II was most special because it addressed the Dreams, Hopes and Goals of the children. Most every child wrote a paragraph or more and the book was printed for us by G-Tech. Each school got a copy for their library. 

1994-95 A slight change in themes for the program took place this year. The faculty and staff felt it important that the students learned how their bodies and minds worked. Act I was devoted to the Active Body and Act II to the Creative Mind (Inventions)  Very Special Arts joined with their support, a very welcome member of our support network as it remains today. Chance to Dance is for ALL kids!

1995-96 The 10th Anniversary Year. Chance to Dance tributes Gene Kelly in the year of his death. To quote him, “Dance means Love! Dance means joy! Dance means dreams!” That is the essence of Chance to Dance  It was a great celebration when the reunion of all past SLEEQuE FEETers joined in on the last part of “Can’t Stop”. All through the years Avenue A was the Chance to Dance Band.   The T- shirt was not student designed and the back had Chance to Dance in MANY languages. The students were asked to supply how Chance to Dance looked in the language of their heritage. Awesome shirt.  

Our fifteenth Anniversary year! Former SLEEQuE FEET were invited to join with the regular SLEEQuE FEET to close out the show. We had over 50 kids and young adults over the course of the three shows come up and celebrate ON STAGE with great outpouring from the audience At the end of this year Chance to Dance had to make some major adjustment. Diane Gualtieri and Karen Mellor both retired from Chance to Dance. Their real jobs were taking more and more time from their work. Breaking up was hard to do!

  

What a marvelous 20th Anniversary. Another SLEEQuE FEET reunion. Faculty and staff returning to be part of this historic occasion.  Helene and Marty gained Emeritus status and their duties decreased. (but never their interest). Christena also took over the duties of SLEEQuE FEET instructor and coordinator with Kerri Peterson as assistant.   

Our 25th Anniversary celebration, marked by yet another SLEEQuE FEET reunion. Despite increasing financial hardship for schools, the value of the Chance to Dance experience continues to draw new schools and keep the veteran schools!