ODC/Dance, one of the Bay Area’s most renowned performing art organizations, is commemorating Nancy Pelosi‘s political legacy in a huge way.
“In appreciation of your tireless work to advance healthcare, and the spirit of compassion and decency in this country, we would like to honor you by naming ODC’s extensive health initiatives the Nancy Pelosi Healthy Dancers Program,” ODC founder and Artistic Director Brenda Way announced onstage at the Blue Shield of California Theater at YBCA during the company’s gala on Friday, March 6. “And that’s how we make sure that the 2 year olds in our programs know who she is.”
The honor was revealed appropriately just two days ahead of International Women’s Day, and on the second night of the company’s three-day “Dance Downtown” home season opening weekend. The longtime Congresswoman was in attendance as the gala’s honorary chair, joined by her husband, Paul Pelosi.
ODC Board Chair Sean Dowdall added in a statement Monday, March 9, that the decision was made “in recognition of her extraordinary advocacy for both the arts and health care – two pillars of our mission at ODC.
ODC, founded in 1971, launched its first official health initiative in 2005 to offer dancers free diagnostic and educational services. Since then, its Healthy Dancers Clinic has grown to provide free consultations with a variety of volunteer medical professionals, such as therapists, physicians and physical therapists, as well as workshops and classes that reach more than 1,000 dancers of all ages.
“ODC’s vast array of health offerings, now known as the Nancy Pelosi Healthy Dancers Program at ODC, gives witness to a powerful truth: dance is medicine,” Dr. Recinos Abairm, who directs the array of health initiatives at ODC, said in a statement.
Nancy Pelosi Healthy Dancers Program at ODC offers a range of support. (Greg Meyers)
Speaker Emerita Pelosi, who built her political career in San Francisco, has long advocated for the arts and cultural institutions. She was honored with the Congressional Arts Leadership Awards for her efforts in 2010, and is a frequent supporter of Bay Area arts organizations such as the San Francisco Opera, San Francisco Symphony and San Francisco Ballet.
“One of my favorite sayings is, ‘You can never dance too much! ‘” Pelosi told the gala crowd Friday, before explaining why she thinks “the arts are what are going to bring our country together.”
“Most places that you go to – concerts, museums, you name it – (and) you laugh together, you cry together, you’re inspired together. For a moment you have common ground,” she said.
Last summer, Pelosi attended Lady Gaga’s Mayhem Ball when it stopped at San Francisco’s Chase Center and was spotted singing along to “That’s So True” during musician Gracie Abrams‘ set at theat the Outside Lands music festival at Golden Gate Park.
The day after ODC’s gala, the politician was at San Francisco’s Lunar New Year Parade. She was joined Saturday, March 7 by Mayor Daniel Lurie, former Mayor Willie Brown and other elected officials and leaders.
Chronicle Senior Arts and Entertainment Editor Mariecar Mendoza contributed to this story.
This article originally published at Nancy Pelosi honored at San Francisco dance gala: ‘You can never dance too much’.