Summer Programs at the Darien Arts Center

The Darien Arts Center is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind Town Hall and offers a variety of programs in dance, visual arts, music and theater. Summer camps and classes are offered for all age groups from preschoolers to adults. For more information, or to register go to darienarts.org or call (203) 655-8683.

Pre-School Art and Dance Camp: A two-part workshop designed for younger students who will learn about the joy of movement using a variety of materials to create two- and three-dimensional projects. Participants can choose up to five sessions of 4 classes throughout June, July and August.

Let’s Put on a Show! Art, Dance & Theatre Production Camp: For grades 1-4, children will explore the many facets of producing a show from creating scenery and props, to learning song and dance numbers and learning lines for the final production. On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Two sessions of 9 classes each that take place in July and August.

Summerdance: A two-week long program for ages 9-14 that includes classes in jazz, modern and ballet, and lessons about stage makeup, costuming, and choreography. Includes a final performance for friends and family. Monday through Friday from 2-4:30 p.m., July 7-18.

Ballet Intensive/Pointe: By permission only, for intermediate and advanced students, includes pointe work. Monday through Friday from 2-4:30 p.m., July 21-August 8.

Choreography: For intermediate and advanced students, this class will explore many different styles of dance technique. Wednesdays from 6-7:15.p.m., June 25-August 20.

Martial Arts For Women; Basic Self-Defense/Awareness Workshop: For teens to adults, designed for women for everyday life. Basic self-defense and tips on safety. Perfect for young women leaving home for college. Thursdays from 6-7:30 p.m. July 17 through August 7.

Martial Arts for ages 4 through 12, meets on Tuesdays from 4:45 p.m. until 5:45 p.m. from June 10 through August 19.

The Big Top: Students, ages 7-11, will create art projects with a circus theme, including Alex Calder’s circus-style wire sculptures, life-size circus animals and a big top tent. One day will be dedicated to the art of becoming clowns, putting on clown makeup and clowning around. Monday through Thursday from 2:30-4:30 p.m., June 23 through June 26.

‘Blast Off’, children ages 7-11, will create alien and rocket ship themed projects and learn fight choreography from the DAC Kids’ Theatre Director from 2:30-4:30 p.m., June 30 through July 3.

‘Innovate and Invent’, children aged 7-11, will use repurposed materials to make fantasy inventions come to life and natural materials to make paint and dyes, and will meet from July 21 through July 24 from 2:30-4:30 p.m.

Private music lessons in piano, guitar, voice, violin and percussion; available with flexible dates. Please email Juanita@darienarts.org for scheduling.

Duo Piano Workshop: For children and adults. Students develop musical sensitivity and rhythmic skills as duet partners. Students must have studied for two years and be able to sight-read. Departmental approval is required. 45 minute lessons, Monday through Friday, available June 23 through August 2.

Mommy, Music and Me, an interactive music class for moms or caretakers and babies from birth to 4 years of age. Meets on Thursday mornings from June 5 through August 7. Newborns through 2 years of age attend from 9:45-10:30 a.m., and 2 through 4 year-olds meet from 10:45-11:30 a.m.

Music Composition, classes will meet Monday through Friday from July 7 through July 18 in the DAC Visual Arts Studio. Level I classes, for grades 4 through 7, will meet from 5-6 p.m. and Level II, for grades 8 through 12, will meet from 6-7:30 p.m.

Introduction to the Guitar for ages 7-10, meets on Tuesdays from 4-4:45 p.m., July 1-August 5.

Group Music Theory, for grades 4-12, intended to help students prepare for entrance into more advanced theory courses. Meets Mondays and Wednesdays from 7-8:15 p.m., from June 30 through July 30.

Founded in 1975, the Darien Arts Center (DAC) is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing visual and performing arts programs and events for the community. The DAC offers educational programs in Dance, Visual Arts, Music & Theatre, & special events & live theatre performances by DAC Stage. Private donations, grants, tuition fees & ticket sales fund the DAC, which is located at 2 Renshaw Road, behind the Town Hall. For further information, call (203) 655-8683 or visit darienarts.org.