Nike-Featured Dance Team Promotes Positive Self-image and Inclusion
On Friday, June 21 from 5pm-9pm followed by an after pARTy, 9pm-11pm, Gallery Night Pensacola will once again close Palafox Street (from Garden Street to Main Street) in Downtown Pensacola and provide open streets for patrons to explore and enjoy music, art, food and more. In keeping with the June theme of “Dancing in the Streets,” Gallery Night Pensacola is pleased to announce that the Alabama State University Honeybeez dance team will be the featured artists and will perform multiple times during this month’s event.
The ASU Honeybeez, a crowd-pleasing and popular plus-sized dance team, will be performing at the intersection of Palafox and Romana streets at 7:00, 8:00 and 9:00pm and team instructor Anna Marshae Williams will teach a hip-hop dance class to the public at 6:00pm. The Honeybees will be available for autographs and photos at the Featured Artist tent, sponsored by Stevenson Klotz Law.
The Honeybeez will also visit Dixon School of the Arts while in Pensacola. Their appearance in Pensacola is presented by Gallery Night Pensacola and sponsored in part by Ride Society and Innisfree Hotels, with generous contribution from Escambia County Commissioner Lumon May & Councilmember Ann Hill and special thanks to Fish House & Sonny’s BBQ.
The Alabama State University Honeybeez dance team was created by ASU band director James Oliver. The Honeybeez performed for the first time in 2004. Back then, Oliver said he didn’t realize that the team would represent more than just dance or entertainment. He didn’t realize the power their presence on the football field each game would hold.
As the ASU band has gained fame in several arenas over the years — the Honeybeez dance team has made a name for itself too. The Beez follow a performance routine during ASU half-time football shows – they are put at the end of the half-time show with a one minute routine that always create a “buzz” along with standing ovations from the audience.
Most recently, the Beez were a featured part of a documentary series created by Nike, “Dream Crazier.” The Honeybeez video has garnered more than 300,000 views since it first aired March 1.
Being a Honeybee doesn’t just inspire change in those that watch the team’s performances, though. In addition to reaching young girls during school visits the team makes throughout the year there has also been a transformation on the campus since the team was created. The Honeybeez have changed attitudes on campus in regards to plus-size girls. They promote their positive self-image and self-esteem.
The Honeybeez motto: We are big, beautiful, energetic, self-confident ladies with a strong attitude. If you think we aren’t serious, watch out because you may just get stung!
Elsewhere downtown, visitors can enjoy live performances from a variety of dance groups and performers. You never know what you might see ‘Dancing in the Streets’!
Gallery Night events bring “Art To The Streets” with 30 fine artists, craftsman, five food trucks, and live music venues. Artistic mediums to include glass, paint, woodworking, jewelry, and mixed media. In addition to arts and activities, downtown restaurants, galleries and shops will be open extended hours encouraging patrons to come and explore our award winning downtown.
Participating Downtown Pensacola merchants and businesses: Al Fresco, Badlands, Artel Gallery, Indigeaux, Blend Lounge, Blue Morning Gallery, Dog House Deli, CoWork @nnex, Urban Swinery, Hopjacks, Pot Roast & Pinot, Intermission, Jackson’s Steakhouse, Play, O’Riley’s Irish Pub, Seville Quarter, Shux Oyster Bar, Jeweler’s Trade Shop, The Tin Cow, V Paul’s, Wild Greg’s Saloon, World of Beer, Jordan Valley Restaurant, Legal Graffiti sponsored by Zarzaur Law, P.A., Cigar Factory Pensacola, Belle Ame’, The Wine Bar, Casks and Flights Wine Tasting Room, and Nom Sushi Izakaya.
Gallery Night Pensacola is made possible by the following sponsors: Stevenson Klotz Law, Escape Wellness Spa, Emmanuel Sheppard and Condon, Regions Bank, Lewis Bear Company, Highpoint Hotel Corporation, Levin-Rinke Realty, Coca-Cola, YMCA of Northwest Florida, Spotless Logistics, Sports Clips, CoWork @nnex, The Sign Shop of Pensacola, DR Horton Homes, Bob Tyler Toyota, Inweekly, Clever Ogre, Visit Pensacola and Calliope Films.
For more information visit gallerynightpensacola.org.
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###About Gallery Night PensacolaThe mission of Gallery Night Pensacola is an engaging cultural event that takes the “Art to the Streets” where visitors can connect with the unique Culture of Pensacola.Through this non-profit organization, individual artists will have the opportunity to showcase their talent, area arts organizations will host public performances and demonstrations, downtown businesses will enhance the downtown experience and other community non-profits will add to the Gallery Night experience.