Sunshine Walking: Joy through Movement
Health & Human Performance invites you to a celebration of community and embodiment.
As stated in an article published in the Stanford Magazine (May 2019), “Dance matters.” Research has shown that dance is good for our brain health and overall wellbeing. It brings us in community with others and connects us more deeply to our own bodies, both of which are essential to our ongoing recovery from pandemic isolation and disconnection.
Join us for a movement and dance workshop to celebrate community and embodiment, led by Francesca Maria Gambelli. The event is hosted by students of Laugh to Relax (WELLNESS 171) and Performing Race, Gender, and Sexuality (LIFE/CSRE/ARTSINST/TAPS/FEMGEN 150G), and is open to the entire Stanford community and to the public.
Francesca Maria is an Italian born performing artist and songwriter whose mission is to inspire the world through her music and dance and to encourage people to never forget the power of their dreams. Her music has reached approximately 15 million people in over 185 countries. She has collaborated with Mariah Carey, Whitney Houston, Ricky Martin, Jay-Z, Celia Cruz and others. Visit her website here.
- Time: 5:00-6:15pm (doors at 4:55pm).
- For more information about Burnham Pavilion location and parking, visit this page.
- Most nearby lots are free after 4pm, as is parking along Galvez Street (near venue).
- Use entrance closes to Jane Stanford Way.
- Please RSVP here.
- More info: gigio@stanford.edu.
Supported by an artsCatalyst Grant from the Office of the Vice President for the Arts, with additional funding and co-sponsorships from the Center for Comparative Studies in Race & Ethnicity, the Arts Institute, Feminist Gender, & Sexuality Studies, Theater & Performance Studies, Stanford Athletics, Stanford Live, and Stanford Recreation & Wellness.
Student Testimonials from Francesca Maria’s visit to LIFE/TAPS 120: Yoga Psychology for Resilience and Creativity last year:
“I loved how Francesca focused on the importance of how dance can help us live in a healthier manner. This experience has definitely been one of my favorite memories at Stanford so far, and I hope she’s able to share her talents with many others in the Stanford community!”
“Francesca created a fun, engaging environment where we could express ourselves without judgement while still challenging our comfort zones. I also enjoyed hearing her music, especially the message we danced to, 'You are somebody!'"
“I had always been shy and unconfident in dancing, but through Francesca’s workshop I was able to gain confidence, and overall just had a truly amazing and fun experience!”
“Francesca is an amazing and fun instructor! It was my first dance class ever and I felt like was able to embody my expressive inner self while also learning new fun dance moves with my classmates.”
View her new music video, Sunshine Walking, here: