[mmmatt]

Danza Activewear fills niche for those requiring special performance costumes

Times & Transcript (Moncton)
Sat 17 Mar 2007


Have you ever wondered where ballet dancers, ballroom dancers and figure skaters get those great costumes they wear?

Up until recently, you had to go outside the region to buy these costumes and shoes with the exception of a Moncton shop selling ballet clothes.

That's about to change, says Jason Capson, part owner of a new 2,300 square foot retail shop opening up this month on Paul Street in Dieppe.

Danza Activewear Inc. will feature active wear and dance wear whether dancing the tango, jazz or hip hop, as well as stylish athletic wear for fitness and yoga enthusiasts, runners, gymnasts and other exercise buffs.

Clients wanting the glitzy competitive ballroom gowns will still have to order them custom made but the shop will have the basic costumes and the name of a good seamstress, he explained. He doesn't expect a lot of calls for competitive ballroom gowns but certainly there are a number of people into ballroom dancing who want clothing made for the occasion, he said.

The shop will carry dance shoes that go with it, along with other types of footwear from fitted ballet pointe shoes that cost $150 and tap shoes to special sneakers used in break dancing along with the baggy "boya" pants.

It's a one-of-a-kind shop, said Capson. There's nothing like it in the Atlantic Provinces.

Already, his business is drawing attention.

"Over the last five years, there has been a huge increase in membership at dance studios, figure skating clubs, martial arts clubs, fitness facilities, baton twirling and gymnastics clubs, but there hasn't been an increase in supply to cover the demand," he said.

Jason and Monique Capson's daughter, Janica, 13, has been accepted at the Royal Winnipeg Ballet Company, said the proud father.

There are many others getting involved in ballet and classical dance as well as social or ballroom dancing.

Aside from dancing, there are many fitness enthusiasts, gymnasts, figure skaters and yoga students who want the right outfit. The yoga pants are stylish enough to wear out as casual wear, he said.

There will be accessories like stage makeup, hair products and socks.

Capson said the company plans its own line of active wear and dance ware clothing, to be launched in the near future.

The company is already looking at branching out in the Maritimes, confident of the success of the venture. The partners in the venture are the Capsons of Moncton and Gary and Heather Arsenault of Shediac.

Dance has exploded in the city, he said, thanks in part to some long- established dance schools like DancEast and, more recently, the Atlantic Ballet Theatre troupe. Having a professional ballet troupe in Moncton has done much for the city, he said.

The shop should be open for business by late March with the grand opening planned for Saturday, April 14.