The Grant Union Gold dance team performs at last year's Holiday Showcase.

JOHN DAY – Dancers will kick off the Christmas season at the annual Holiday Showcase at 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday, Dec. 3 and 4, at the Grant Union old gym in John Day.

Admission is $5 and a canned food item, children under 6 have free admission and refreshments will be served.

Shannon Adair, who coordinates the event and is in her 19th year coaching the Grant Union dance team, said the event will feature ballet, contemporary, jazz and hip hop styles with solo, small group and full group performances.

“For us, it’s a great start to the holidays, trying to deliver happiness and the spirit of the season,” Adair said.

About 60 dancers ranging in age from 3-18 will perform in the showcase.

The younger students – Level 1 through 3 and the junior team – receive their training at Body, Fitness & Dance, while the Grant Union dancers are a high school team.

Adair works with assistant coaches Jessica Moore and Kattie Piazza to coach the Grant Union Gold team.

Chandra Holliday coaches Levels 1 and 2, and Stephanie Parsons coaches Level 3.

Coaching the junior high dancers are Piazza and assistant coach Rebecca Batease, who is also on the high school team.

Adair said she takes a lot of pride in the Holiday Showcase, and noted all the coaches were once on her dance team, except Holliday, who was on the Pendleton High School dance team.

“It’s a pretty big program for the size of our community,” Adair said. “I’m excited – it’s one of the things I have a lot of pride in.”