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Thursday, Mar 28, 2024

She’s Flashy, But Can Do The Two-Step

The popular movie “Flashdance” was about a steel worker who aspires to become a dancer. Fast forward into the modern age of digital media and there’s Cindy Roe, an organizer of flash mobs who aspires to teach dancing. The former stay-at-home Simi Valley mom, known in the community for producing close to 40 dancing flash mobs at the Simi Valley Town Center in the past year, is now opening a dance studio there. Roe said she never studied dance or even danced in her life before assisting at her daughter’s dance classes 10 years ago. But seeing the connection children have with dance inspired her to open her studio, appropriately called Inspire Dance. “I wanted to help out the kids after seeing how dance made them so happy,” she said. The sentiment originated from her efforts organizing flash mobs a year ago when Roe saw a YouTube video that challenged viewers to organize their own dance. She invited friends, family and others to join her for her first one. Roe has produced most of her flash mobs at the mall after developing a rapport with General Manager Jeffrey DiJulius, who asked her to volunteer with events, eventually producing flash mobs for the center, owned by Walton Street Capital LLC of Chicago and Alberta Development Partners LLC of Greenwood Village, Colo. “I told her, ‘Go for it,’” DiJulius recalled. “She’s done (about) 40 in the last year. They are so much fun, so delightful.” Roe choreographed the flash dances, and about 15 to 20 people typically show up – dressed as everyday people or even janitors and security guards. On cue they surprise unsuspecting shoppers and are often held to promote mall special events. Guest appearances at recent mobs have included the mayor of Simi Valley and Jay Jackson, a local resident who plays Perd Hapley on NBCUniversal’s show “Parks and Recreation.” As for her studio, Roe, 45, has already contracted dancers to teach typical classes: ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical and hip hop. She wants eventually to add ballroom dancing for adults. So far she has invested $4,200 in cosmetic renovations to the building and expects to open the nearly 1,900-square-foot studio in the third week of December. As for those flash mobs? “I would like it to (tie in) and like to keep it going. When the kids want to do something, I do everything in my power to make it happen,” she said. – Jacquelinne Mejia

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