Dancing days

Check out the dance festival in Athens this week, regardless of your skill level

So, University students, you think you can dance?

Prove it. Dancefx hosts the eighth annual DanceATHENS Dance Festival this week, offering you suave ladies and gents of Athens a week-long opportunity to improve your moves.

If redundant dancing to Lil Jon’s “Get Low” at The Loft stifles your grooving creativity, give the classics a try. The dance festival features workshops, demonstrations and performances in jazz, Latin, tap, lyrical, hip hop, modern, ballroom, Middle Eastern, ballet and break dance styles from Athens area dance companies and guest performers.

If you know every word to “Dirty Dancing” and “Flash Dance” but still have two left feet, the festival welcomes entertainment-seeking dance-lovers as well.

Performances will showcase dancers from University Tap Dawgs, Ballet Ensemble, Ballroom Performance and various local groups. The festival culminates with a DanceATHENS concert on Saturday. With the impending doom of finals almost upon us, some stress relief sounds ideal prior to hitting the books.

Impress your family with your new moves over Thanksgiving break, or give them something to laugh about. It’s a win-win situation.

- Jennifer Paxton for the editorial board

Classic City pride

Show some support of the Athens scene by shopping and eating out locally

Nearly everyone in America has felt the effects of our crumbling economy. Athens businesses are adapting to the changes just like everyone else.

We’re all aware of the struggles of major firms like Lehman Brothers, but the problems at the small mom-and-pop stores often go unnoticed.

We understand if your pockets are feeling lighter because of the economic trouble. But if you do decide to spend some of your remaining cash, do it at a local business.

If you’ve never eaten the catfish at Weaver D’s or talked music with the employees at Wuxtry Records, you’re doing a disservice to your college experience. Athens is full of small local businesses, sometimes charming, sometimes quirky, and oftentimes both, and they’re part of what makes our town so appealing.

Unfortunately, some of them are feeling the economic crunch and need a pick-up.

Have a hot date this weekend? Go to The Grit instead of Applebee’s. You’ll help out a local business, and you’ll look cooler doing it.

Need a great outfit for the football season’s last home game? Stop in a downtown boutique on your way home from class. They’re a lot closer than the mall.

Can’t remember the name of that band who sings that one song? Chances are the guys at Schoolkids can help you out. Think you’ll get that service at Wal-Mart?

We get a big kick out of seeing our out-of-town friends get giddy when they visit Athens. They won’t show the same reaction when the small businesses move out and the chain stores move in.

So show some Classic City pride. Inject some money into the homegrown businesses. Athens thanks you.

- Drew Wheatley for the editorial board