With an emphasis on the life motto ‘dance like nobody’s watching,’ the Joy Connection Project is going to change the way you see the world. They’ve collaborated with Dance with Jay & Ocean Avenue Stompers and other local musicians to perform immersive, inclusive and experiential dance on the Asbury Park Boardwalk and demonstrate that everyone is a highly valuable and inspirational member of the local community and beyond. There’s no way anyone attending will walk away from this performance a little brighter, a little more confident, and a little more filled with joy. The Joy Connection is part of the blue dot community, which focuses on igniting connection and sparking joy for individuals with neuro- and developmental differences who often have decreased access to social opportunities. Their programming is implemented by experienced, certified and licensed professionals in various interdisciplinary fields such as Behavior Analysis, Occupational Therapy, Special Education and Dance Instruction. Blue Dot curates weekly and immersive social opportunities through various creative means. Asbury Park is a place of inclusion where everyone feels like they can be themselves, fully and unapologetically. In keeping with that ethos, Joy Connection offers inclusive performances with individuals with and without disabilities to dismantle barriers and raise awareness. They also offer resources for attendees who may personally know someone who can benefit from their services. Dance with Jay, one of the main collaborators, has been involved in the local dance and special needs community for over a decade, providing weekly dance classes to adults with varying disabilities. We want to provide our dancers with the opportunity to spread these positive messages to a wider community by performing an immersive, inclusive and experiential dance on the Asbury Park Boardwalk. Everyone this performance touches will walk away a little brighter, a little more confident, and a little more filled with joy. “In a society that worships love, freedom, and beauty, dance is sacred. It is a prayer for the future, a remembrance of the past and a joyful exclamation of thanks for the present.” – Amelia Atwater-Rhodes