South Buffalo CREW (Concerned Residents Engaged in Work) is a crafty organization that specializes in a wide range of grassroots initiatives. The group organizes a wide range of activities and promotions, from spring cleanups to small business booster events. At the end of the day, SB CREW is in the business of beautifying the city and creating a strong business community. On May 31, 2014, the organization is hosting an event to welcome a new business to the community – Danielle’s Dance and Fitness at 1860 Seneca Street. “Danielle is a Buffalo repat who moved back to the city and opened her own business,” Casey Smigelski of SB CREW told me. “There will be an open house for people to find out more from 9am-12pm, and group dance demonstrations at 10:30am and 11:30am.”
It’s highly unusual to find an organization such as SB CREW that works in such a diverse manner. I find it inspiring that a single group has the will and the way to do so much for so many. To think that the members recently tackled a major spring clean up, and here they are pressing forward to promote the opening of a new business… it’s a demanding yet integral formula that goes a long way towards creating stable commercial districts in South Buffalo. “Danielle is already doing quite and bit for the community,” said Casey. “Not only did she buy and rehab a vacant storefront on Seneca, she also works with children to help keep them in shape and engaged in activities to help our planet. On Earth Day she had the kids painting rain barrels. Danielle wants to help people live a healthier lifestyle – she offers dance and fitness classes for all ages at affordable prices, and there are no membership requirements.”
Taking a closer look at Danielle’s background, she started dancing at an early age and attended the Buffalo Academy of Visual and Performing Arts in Buffalo. She went on to attain her B.F.A. in Dance from The University of the Arts in Philadelphia. While in Philadelphia, Danielle cheered professionally with the Philadelphia Eagles. From there, she headed west where she hooked up with the L.A. Choreographers and Dancers (LAC&D).
Her participation with (LAC&D) allowed for Danielle to participate in a wide variety of dance roles, from performing in the L.A. Choreographers Carnival and Disney’s El Capitan Theatre, to dancing at the Dome with the BollyDolls, a Bollywood pop/girl group.
Today Danielle is taking all of her experiences and infusing them into a business that she feels will be a good fit for South Buffalo (and the rest of the city). Her classes include zumba, barre and mat classes, or mix & match classes… classes as cheap as $10 a session or there is an unlimited monthly pass for $50 a month (depending on the program).
SB CREW helping to roll out the red carpet for Danielle and her dance and fitness business. This is a real South Buffalo collaborative effort that we will hopefully see a lot more of in the future.
Join SB CREW on Saturday May 31, 2104 as they host a Dance Mob in support of the business. There will also be a Seneca Street clean-up that same day.
Danielle’s Dance and Fitness | 1860 Seneca Street | Buffalo NY 14210 | Facebook