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Encore Dance Ensemble concert celebrates women over 40

October 19, 2024
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Acton resident Ann Budner co-founded Encore Dance Ensemble sixteen years ago with her friend and former Acton resident, Elaine Sisler. The two met as volunteers on the Acton-Boxborough Cultural Council. An award-winning dance educator, Sisler founded Encore as a birthday gift to herself. She remembers, “On my 60th birthday, I vowed that I would start a dance company so that I would have the opportunity to perform again. I never expected it to last this long. Encore has been a dream come true.”

Five women wearing brightly colored scarves tied around their waists are dancing in a line outdoors in the sun.
Encore dancers perform during Riverfest at Concord’s Old Manse. Photo: Andrew Rosen

The friends saw each other as kindred spirits, but, as Ann recalls, “When Elaine told me she wanted to start a dance company with me, I told her she was crazy! After developing severe arthritis, I thought I would never dance again. Encore has not only helped me heal physically but has been an incredible creative outlet in my life.”

Women wearing sleeveless black dresses dancing on a blue background. Red squiggles march across the page (like waves).
Flyer for Encore Dance Ensemble performance on Nov 2 and 3 in Cambridge. Flyer: Artwork by Jill Baker.

Encore Dance Ensemble is a company of women ages 40+ who draw on their life experience as inspiration for their work. They share a passion for the art of dance and the fulfillment that comes with building community through outreach and performance. They perform original works demonstrating life-long learning and fulfillment through the art of dance. Encore recently performed at the ceremony for the new LexSeeHer women’s history monument in Lexington Center.

Encore will presents “Undercurrents” at the Dance Complex in Cambridge on November 2 and 3. The evening-length program presents modern, jazz, and improvisational choreography exploring love, loss, nature, memories, and the powerful ways relationships sustain us.

A group of women wearing black leotards poses in front of a white building. Some are seated, some crouching, and some standing.
Dancers (front row, l to r): Elaine Sisler (co-founder), Anne Schwartz, Jill Baker, Michelle Rosen (back row, l to r): Ann Budner (co-founder), Dorothy Anderson-Perales, Heidi Schauster. Photo: Jill Baker

For more information, visit www.encoredanceensemble.com.

Performances will be held on Saturday, November 2 at 8:00 PM and Sunday, November 3 at 7:00 PM. Tickets are $30, general admission.

The Dance Complex is located at 536 Mass Ave. in Central Square, Cambridge. The building has a motorized lift that can bring one person at a time to the second-floor performance space. There is no elevator. For any questions regarding accessibility, please call the main office at 617.547.9363. For more information, visit www.dancecomplex.org.

The Dance Complex is supported in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.

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