In 2013, during their second Australian tour, Broadway Dance Center was able to share in the magic that is the Special Olympics Dancers. Director of Educational Programming Bonnie Erickson and resident choreographer Jim Cooney together with the support of Sunrise and Channel 7 were able to offer our Special Olympics Dance Team the opportunity to learn the most incredible routine. This routine was pushed fourth as an opening performance for the Special Olympics Games that year. Unfortunately due to various reasons (mainly funding for the athletes) this dream was unable to become realty for this incredibly touching group.
https://au.tv.yahoo.com/sunrise/video/watch/16332168/a-special-way-to-dance/

Since then JOIP and Broadway Dance Center have set a task to support these dancers on their journey to perform this incredible piece “Imagine” in the heart of the USA. In association with Paula Duncan Promotions, J.O.I.P. is creating an event to support these dancers travelling to the USA to train in dance at BDC, perform live in NYC, see shows and experience the wonder of New York City. The Special Olympics Dance Group have set themselves a goal to raise $70,000 to for-fill a life long dream and we need your help.

We are pleased to announce that Tim Omaji will be performing. We are also thrilled to have the Dream Dance Company run by Marko Panic and Stephen Tannos. Entertainment Gossip Guru Craig Bennett will be hosting it with Jessica Orcsik and we have a huge cast of dance studios, companies and soloist dancers from across Australia.

This is also a great way for us to educate performers about the importance of inclusion and diversity within the community and understanding more about disabilities.

The Special Olympics dance program provides thousands of young men, women and children with all forms of disabilities (including asperges, autism, physical & intellectual disabilities and mental illness); a way of expressing themselves and telling their stories. They also offer respite care to many family and friends., and ultimately bring a sense of pride and dignity to all who share their lives. It reaches the hearts and lives of people all across Australia and the world. Spreading good news and good will.

All funds raised will go towards marketing & promotions of the show "Don't Dis My Ability - A Dance Extravaganza" and towards all the expenses associated with sending the Special Olympics Dance Group to New York City. This includes accommodation and transport costs.

Fundraising is a crucial component to the overall success of this project. We need to raise a minimum of $30,000 to just contribute to the standard budget costs involved. After the standard budget has been put together we then have to raise funds from the show itself to the amount of around $75,000. This must cover all expenses involved with taking the group to New York City including Transport, Accommodation, Living Expenses and more. 

We are thrilled at the amount of support in our show and we encourage everyone to get behind this. The challenges although large are achievable. With your support all is achievable. We have approached various companies for additional sponsorship and are thrilled to annouce our first in Clubs NSW.