Allegheny College students from several dance courses and the student jazz dance group JaDE, are to perform in Allegheny’s annual holiday concert, Cookies and Milk. The concert is presented by the  Dance and Movement Studies Program.

The concert is for families and children all over the Meadville community on Sunday, Dec. 7, 2014 with performances at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. in the Montgomery Performance Space.

As the name of the show implies, cookies by the members of Creating Landscapes for Families will be served in the campus center lobby.

Allegheny’s dance department collects toys near the end of the semester for Toys for Tots. There is an opportunity for the audience to donate their toys at the concert. Audience members can demonstrate their appreciation for the performances by contributing a toy which will  be gifted to a child who might otherwise not receive holiday presents.

Casey Freed, ‘16, has participated in this concert for three years now.

“I think of it as a way to bring community members together and put on something light hearted around the holidays,” said Freed.

Yvonne Mickens, ‘18, is studying modern dance at the college and is participating in the event for the first time. She said that being a part of this concert was whimsical and fun.

“I can’t wait to see the kids and how excited they’ll be when they see us and interact with us,” said Mickens.

Maya Jones, ‘15, also had good things to say about the concert. Besides the cookies and milk, Jones stated that her favorite part about the concert is the strong sense of collaboration and community.

“My first time participating in Cookies and Milk I was able to engage with the children of Arc of Crawford County,” said Jones.

The Arc of Crawford County advocates for the rights of citizens who have intellectual disabilities and works to help them obtain maximum independence.

“Their creativity and imagination was enlightening to see as they danced around in little elf costumes,” said Jones. “It allows children to perform and share their creativity with their family and celebrate holiday spirit.”