Preserving the memory of a dancer – Jam 4 Jess

PR Log (Press Release) – Sep 15, 2009 – On September 19, 2003, at the age of 13, a young dance named Jessica Karrat was killed in a car accident.  Jessica loved to dance more than anything in the world. Her best friend, Courtney Klinger and her had dreams about their future careers in the dance world.

So when this tragic accident occurred, Courtney and her mom, Barbara Klinger decided to create a scholarship fund. Barbara Klinger goes on to say,  “People told us that while that was nice that it wouldn’t have staying power – after all who was going to care about a 13 year dancer from Quakertown who was killed in a car accident? Clearly, they had never really known Jessica Karrat or been touched by her spirit. A spirit that inspired us and made all of us care.” After much work and effort to raise the $3000 necessary to become part of the Philadelphia Foundation, In 2004, the Jessica Karrat Dance Scholarship Fund became a component fund at the Foundation, thereby establishing a permanent endowment that would remember Jess in perpetuity.

The Jessica Karrat Dance Scholarship Fund continues to be dedicated to providing scholarships to those who love to dance. “Over the past six years we have given out more than $15,000 in scholarships” according to Barbara Klinger. Applicants to the fund are required to write an essay on “why I love to dance”, which is then reviewed by a selection committee.  Scholarship winners have both touched the hearts of the committee as well as embodied the spirit of what the fund is truly about.

The Jessica Karrat Dance Scholarship Fund has announced their scholarship winners for 2009 – Chloe Watson, Dallas, TX, Matthew Roberts, Akron, OH, Jaimee Kadish, Venice, CA, and Dallas Taylor, Birmingham AL.

Funds for the scholarship are raised through donations and as well as the annual Jam for Jess.  This year’s 6th Annual Jam for Jess is being held in Philadelphia, at Drexel University’s Mandell Theater, 3201 Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104.   The show is on September 26, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. Tickets are $15.00 for adults and $10.00 for students. Tickets may be purchase on line through DanceBoxOffice.com

What makes the Jam unique?  According to Klinger, “It always includes a mix of non-professional, semi-professional, and professional dancers and incorporates a variety of dance genres.  Jess always loved all kinds of dance. This year we will have performers from New York, New Jersey and Philadelphia who have donated their time and talent to our Fund.”   Some of the dancers and companies on the bill for this year are Tyrone Proctor, Eng Mathews, Rebecca Davis Dance Company, Music and Motion, Breanna Dancy, Chosen Dance Company, In Da Clutch Entertainment, East Coast Dance Connection, FunC Dance Company and Delaware Valley Dance Academy. After the show there is a free dance party where the audience is invited to meet and dance with the performers.

The Jam for Jess is more than just a family-oriented dance show, it  embodies the generosity, spirit and support that exists in the regions dance and artistic communities, all touched by the story of Jess’s life.

For more about the The Jessica Karrat Dance Scholarship Fund, visit www.jkdance.org

Sixth Annual Jam for Jess
Jessica Karrat Dance Scholarship Fund
September 26, 2009 at 7:00 pm
Drexel University’s Mandell Theater, 33rd & Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia
Tickets $15 | $10 for students
Online at DanceBoxOffice.com