Dallas City Councilman Leo V. Chaney to Serve as Honorary Chairperson for Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s 2006 Dance Africa Festival

Dallas City Councilman Leo V. Chaney, Jr., District 7, will serve as honorary chairperson for the Dallas Black Dance Theatre’s week-long 2006 Dance AFRICA Festival Oct. 9- 14. Sponsored by Target, the event will feature free master dance classes, a marketplace/health fair, a free community concert and performances by the Dallas Black Dance Theatre, the Chuck Davis African American Dance Ensemble of Raleigh, North Carolina and local dance groups. The national project has toured in Washington, D.C., New York and Chicago. “It is an honor to be named the Honorary Chair of the Dallas Black Dance Theatre 30th Anniversary, commemorating 30 years of brilliance,” said Chaney. “The Dallas Black Dance Theater offers a cultural and educational experience for all. Dance Africa is an important week for the theater and our community because Africa is where civilization was birthed. It is important to celebrate our heritage and history. Dance Africa not only celebrates our wonderful history, but it encourages us to continue to dream and strive for excellence.” Activities free to the public include: master dance classes, Oct. 10, 6-9 p.m.; marketplace/health fair, Oct. 12, 6-9 p.m. and community concert, Oct. 12, 7:30 p.m. These events will be held at Fair Park’s Opera Rehearsal Hall, 4301 S. Fitzhugh Avenue.

The 2006 Dance AFRICA professional performances will be held Oct. 13-14, 7:30 p.m., at the Majestic Theatre, 1925 Elm Street. Tickets are $18 and $30 and can be purchased at the Majestic Theatre Box Office, on-line at www.ticketmaster.com, or by calling 214-631-ARTS. For more information, please call 214-871-2390 or visit www.dbdt.com.

Dallas Park and Recreation Department Debuts Online Registration for Fall Programs and Activities

DALLAS, TEXAS – Driving value and convenience for the large community, the Dallas Park and Recreation Department will offer online registration for classes, programs and activities beginning September 16, 2006.

The Park and Recreation Department has chosen San Diego, Calif.-based The Active Network, Inc. (www.TheActiveNetwork.com), a company that delivers software technology and marketing solutions to community service organizations, to provide the new online service. With online registration capabilities, the tens of thousands of recreation participants will be able to view, register and pay for the department’s programs and activities, including the popular fitness, sports and after-school programs, and technology, dance and art classes, at any time, from any Internet-enabled computer.

“Our city has been working diligently toward providing e-commerce for citizens,” said Ken Brack, IT manager for the city of Dallas Park and Recreation Department.

“We are pleased to launch an online registration program through our Park and Recreation Department that will benefit the community through increased accessibility and service options.

We look forward to better serving our recreation participants by improving efficiencies and eliminating manual, paper-based processes.” By making online registration for classes, programs and activities available 24/7 via the Internet, the department drives productivity and reduces the time and paperwork required to process registrations.

The community also has the option of paying with a credit card for the first time, both online and over the counter. Active’s Internet registration makes signing up for programs simple, fast and convenient. Community members can search for activities; view program details, schedules and availability; register and pay in just minutes.