Girls plan AIDS benefit

Bringing the world to Carson Valley is the goal of three high school girls.

Students Sara Bunting, Katy Reil, both 17, and Allison McCormick, 18, say that by producing a show to raise funds for the Dancers Responding to AIDS, a New York-based foundation, they make the community more aware of issues outside Carson Valley.

Two performances are planned Saturday and Sunday, 7 p.m., at Pau-Wa-Lu Middle School. Admission is $10. For ticket information, call 267-2411 or 265-3466.

Putting on a dance show as a benefit was Sara's idea.

"When I was 8, my uncle died of AIDS, so that originally sparked my interest in just helping in general," Sara said. "But, also, I figured if we could bring the community together, especially the kids in the community, the teen-agers, for a cause, it would really let everyone around know we will fight for something and stand up for it - and we're willing to help.

"That was mainly why I wanted to do it."

The three girls have been dance students with Ann Peters Dance Workshop in Gardnerville since they were small.

Katy is coordinating a sale of artwork from elementary and high school students that will also be held at the show.

"When Sara told me about the idea, I just thought it was a great way for our studio to get involved," she said. "'Why not get other studios and school groups and the whole community involved?' we thought. 'It would be a good thing for the community.'

Dancers from Ann Peters Dance Workshop will perform seven dances with young dancers of various ages through teen years, plus one dance that was choreographed especially to deal with the AIDS issue.

All About Dance in Gardnerville will perform six dances, including dancers ranging from ages 10 to 40.

"We think that it's a worthy cause," said Diana Alldredge of All About Dance. "We're happy to take part in it. We're glad that the girls took time out to organize this - these kinds of things take a lot of work and a lot of effort, and I think these girls should be congratulated for that."

Drama students at Douglas High School have prepared a scene from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The four students, Ryan Ghan, Monique Baumann, Mary Zimmerman and Aaron Coogan, selected the scene and directed it themselves.

A band made up of teen musicians Anthony Janssen, leader, Jake Furlong and Russ Law will perform. Anthony will accompany vocalist Mary Zimmerman.