July 2, 2004

Smooth Moves

Fun, frolic and lots of Dancin’ on the Avenue

By Carol Rosen
Editor

It was one of those wonderful June nights—not too hot nor too cold—with lots of people and lots of fun happening right on Lincoln Avenue. This year’s annual Dancin’ on the Avenue was a splendid success with a huge crowd, estimated at more than 35,000 people, eclipsing last year’s attendance.

As usual there were so many things to do, it was hard to decide what to do first. There were all sorts of children’s activities before it got dark, lots of music and wonderful food and drink. Books For Treats held a booth in a parking lot and received lots of interest, but few books, said Rebecca Morgan, founder and executive director of the organization.

“We got lots of interest in Books For Treats and gave out lots of bookmarks and explained the program. When people hear about the concept, generally they get excited. One preteen girl liked the idea so much she said she was going to have her church youth group organize the idea for her area in Thousand Oaks,” Morgan said.

However, book collection wasn’t as much of a success, although people did come by and say they’d love to donate books, she added. “I told them that Willow Glen Yoga and Sienna Bistro are drop-off points, and they can always call me to arrange a drop off. As more drop off points are volunteered, we’ll list them on www.BooksForTreats.org.”

Meanwhile there were lots of adults walking around, dancing and having a wonderful time. This year music was featured on four stages; a new one down by Minnesota was quite well received. Performers included Chybby’s All Stars, Nu Day, Flashback, Dancyn Studio, Flamenco Society of San Jose and Mambo Romero. Of course Joe Sharino and his band were there. It wasn’t hard to find them, as usual there was a huge crowd. In fact, you couldn’t get near their stage, but you could still hear them in the street and lots of people were dancing to their music.

The Willow Glen Business and Professional Association, which puts on the party, was pleased and thankful for the number of sponsors and volunteers. A number of businesses sponsored the Kid’s Court. These were Black eyed Petes, Nigel Who? Time to Celebrate, Art House Kids, Victoria’s Theatrical, East West Music and Dance and Books For Treats.

Event sponsors were Countrywide Home Loans, Washington Mutual, Bank of America, Peak Travel Group, Budweiser, U.S. Bank, Willow Glen Resident, City of San Jose, Bob Lewis Volkswagen, Windermere Silicon Valley Properties, Wells Fargo Bank, Park Place and Thomas Crail Graphic Design.

Instead of just asking individuals to help, event planners went to businesses and groups asking for volunteers; and volunteers came out in force. This year’s volunteers came from Bank of America, Business Women’s Network, Coldwell Banker, Delta Sigma Phi, Ladies Workout Express, three Kiwanis Clubs—Sunrisers, Willow Glen and Cambrian Park, Peak Travel Group, Santa Clara County Association of Realtors, Valley Credit Union, Washington Mutual, Wells Fargo Bank, Willow Glen Elementary, Willow Glen neighborhood Association, Windermere and Friends and Neighbors of Downtown Willow Glen.

A good time was had by all, and most of us can’t wait for the party next year!