Pattonville's Drill Team Takes Fifth Place at National Competition

The competition was also broadcast on ESPN2, reaching more than 90 million homes.

The varsity drill team from Pattonville High School won fifth place in large varsity hip hop division of the 2013 National Dance Team Championship, held Feb. 2 and 3 in Orlando, FL. They earned the trophy after competing in the category against 44 different teams from 19 states. Members of the varsity team are: Taylor Bailey, Samantha Byrne, Mariah Freeman, Anise Glenn, Ciara Glenn, Paige Goss, Katie Greenwell, Alexis Lawoe, Toni Martorelli, Sabrina Mason, Clare Pond, Lindsey Purviance, Sierra Shockley, Danielle Siegel, Michaela Whaley and Hayley Wojciechowski. Katie Funderburk is coach of the varsity team. The national championship is administered by Universal Dance Association and is the only national-level dance team championship …

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Police: Man Put Loaded Gun in Front of Teen, Suggested Suicide

The Maryland Heights man was charged with endangering a child and child molestation.

A Maryland Heights man faces criminal charges after police said he put a loaded gun in front of a teenager who had suicidal tendencies and suggested she kill herself. The man also gave the 16-year-old girl alcohol, made her dance with him and rubbed up against her, Maryland Heights Police said. John Franklin Bliss, 46, of the 3100 block of Donnycave Lane in Maryland Heights, was charged Wednesday with first-degree endangering the welfare of a child and second-degree child molestation. Maryland Heights Police said the girl went to Bliss’ house Sept. 14 and they had a conversation about suicide. Police said Bliss knew the girl had suicidal tendencies in the past. After the conversation, Bliss gave her alcohol and put a loaded gun in front of…

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Parkway North Student Makes Finale in Teen Talent Competition

Jordan Ward has danced his way to the finals in the St. Louis Teen Talent Competition.

It’s easy to forget Jordan Ward is only a teenager when he talks about dancing professionally, developing his career as a choreographer and moving to Los Angeles. Jordan, a junior at Parkway North High School, has the persistence and dedication of an older man, and this month, it has earned him a spot in the finale of the St. Louis Teen Talent Showcase Competition. Jordan will perform the first solo routine he choreographed himself—a hip-hop dance with jazz, Latin and musical theater influences—set to The Motto, Moondance and We Speak no Americano. The competition is steep. Jordan is one of 11 acts in the finals, down from more than 100 acts in the preliminary round. “I didn’t really have a goal going in, but I said that if I made it to …

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Maryland Heights Community Chorus Preps for the Spring Concert

We sneak into a rehearsal of the Maryland Heights Community Chorus preparing for its spring concert on May 9.

The Maryland Heights Community Chorus will perform with the Center of Creative Arts (COCA) and Dayspring School of the Arts on May 9 at the Maryland Heights Centre. We snuck in during a rehearsal to see members of the chorus preparing for the big day.

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Patch Underground

Lola van Ella Teaches Burlesque to St. Louis Dancers

Dancers from across the metro area learn the old-time dance tradition.

Lola van Ella of VanElla Studios tells St. Louis Patch about the dance tradition "burlesque." Watch the video to learn more. Some scenes may be unsuitable for children.

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Viewfinder: Maryland Heights Centre's International Festival

St. Louisians born all around the world celebrated their heritage at the Maryland Heights Centre.

The Maryland Heights Centre played host to this year's International Festival. The festival featured food ranging from Peruvian to Thai, performances from everyone from Morris Dancers to Japanese Drummers and imported goods for sale from across the globe. Take a tour of the festival through our photo slideshow.

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The Great Escape

The Great Escape: Aabla Raqs Bellydance Studio

Every night is girl’s night at the bellydance studio.

Before the kids were born, remember when you used to go out dancing just to let go of all your tensions from the week? Now, it’s a lot harder to leave the house at 10 and not come home until 2 a.m. But if you still have that desire to dance, Aabla Raqs has a great alternative for you: bellydancing. Every Monday night from 7:30 to 8:30 p.m. they offer an introduction to bellydancing class at their Creve Couer studio. You’ll learn to dance with veils, swords, finger cymbals and even Alladin’s lamps - all in the company of other women, many of them fellow moms. If you can’t persuade your girlfriends to come with you, you’ll meet plenty of friendly women at the class. Go ahead. Let yourself escape from work and family one night a week to …

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