BAKER CITY — Crossroads Carnegie Art Center welcomes everyone to a free Day of the Dance event on Saturday, Sept. 17, at Geiser-Pollman Park’s Powder River Pavilion from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Kathy Sanchez, Crossroads board member, has long wanted to have a celebration of dance in Baker City and she has worked for over a year to make this possible.

“Crossroads is thrilled to host our Day of the Dance at Geiser-Pollman Park,” said Ginger Savage, executive director. “Dance has always been a huge part of the curriculum at Crossroads, and we so appreciate the work of Kathy Sanchez and Terry Drever Gee who are the co-chairs of the this event.”

It is supported by the Leo Adler Foundation and DE and Jane Clark Foundation/Oregon Community Foundation.

“Crossroads believes all citizens should have access to learn and understand about the many cultures that impact Baker County and Oregon,” Savage said. “Dance is one of the most vibrant ways to learn, understand and value everyone’s unique heritage. Dance tells stories, shares emotion and also keeps us moving and active.”

Local and regional dance groups are scheduled to perform all day at the park. For a detailed schedule, check Crossroads’ Facebook page and website.

Tentatively scheduled groups from Baker City and Baker County are Lisa Jo Frech (waltz and Appalachian clogging); traditional Mexican skirt dancing lead by Conchita Arceo; Zumba by Renee Mercer and Friends; ballet by Debbie Friedman and Crossroads students; Next Level Dance student dancers from Halfway lead by Millicent Simpson; Afro Beat by Renee and Atoya Mercer; belly dancing with Kathy Sanchez, Renee Mercer and Shelly Gray; and Groovin’ Grannies lead by Kathy Sanchez.

Professional and semi-professional dance groups are coming as well.

“Crossroads wants to bring dance groups that can share Asian American, Pacific Islander, Native American and other culturally specific dance groups to Baker City,” Savage said.

These groups include Indo Idaho, a Boise-based non-profit organization run by Indonesian Diaspora residing in Idaho, and Boise Traditional Chinese Dance Group, which shares Chinese culture by performing cultural dances at local events and teaching classes to all ages.

Laos Cultural Dance of Boise will perform, as well as Irish Dance Idaho, also from Boise.

Members of the Nez Perce Tribe will perform, sharing their traditional dances organized by Nez Perce Cultural Tourism, and Flow Arts Dojo, fire dance artists from Boise, are also planning to attend.

Sept. 17 is National Museum Day and the Baker Heritage Museum, 2480 Grove St., will be having free attendance all day. The museum is located just east of Geiser-Pollman Park.