Generation Dance Company

Generation Dance Company GDCO is currently the only African-American owned & operated dance studio offering technically based dance technique in Joliet. Established in 1999.

Technical Dance Studio instructing in Pre-Ballet, Ballet, Ballet Pointe, Jazz, Modern, Tap, Hip Hop, Adult Tap, Boys dance training, Dance Terminology & History.

What a BEAUTIFUL day of BLACK JOY! 💙✨Generation Dance Company was proud to be a part of the 2026 Black Joy Parade in Jol...
08/30/2026

What a BEAUTIFUL day of BLACK JOY! 💙✨

Generation Dance Company was proud to be a part of the 2026 Black Joy Parade in Joliet! Our dancers showed up, represented, danced, smiled, and celebrated alongside our community — and we could not be more proud of them! 💃🏾🕺🏾

A HUGE thank you to our GDCO dancers, our awesome parent volunteers and GDCO staff... for your energy, your support, and for spending this very long day with us. Parade days take a lot of preparation, waiting, walking, dancing, and teamwork — and our GDCO family handled it beautifully!

Thank you to the organizers of the Black Joy Parade for creating a space where our community could come together to celebrate our culture, our families, our businesses, our organizations, our music, our creativity and, most importantly, our JOY! 🖤

And thank you to everyone along the parade route who cheered, waved, danced with us, shouted out our dancers, and showed GDCO so much love! We felt every bit of it! SPECIAL SHOUT OUT to Dianna Ibarra and her sisters Rosie & Leslie for driving big red Clifford in the parade for us! It was the perfect place for some of our littles to sit!

These photos capture just a little of what made today so special. 📸

Black Joy ~ Black excellence ~ Black Community was DEFINITELY on display today — and Generation Dance Company was honored to be a part of it!

Until next time… 💙 Moving. Inspiring. Belonging.

GDCO ... please see the information that has been shared regarding the Black Joy Parade tomorrow. See below regarding tr...
08/28/2026

GDCO ... please see the information that has been shared regarding the Black Joy Parade tomorrow. See below regarding traffic and parking options.

TRAFFIC ADVISORY // BLACK JOY PARADE
On Saturday, August 29, 2026, the Black Joy Parade and Celebration is taking place in downtown Joliet. There'll be street closures & detours, as noted below. Please plan for traffic delays and a large amount of pedestrian traffic in the area during this time. Joliet Police will be on site for traffic control, event security, & police presence; please follow all directions given by JPD personnel on scene.
# # #
PARKING
•On-street parking will be allowed in the area (unless signs prohibit)
•Court House parking lot at Jefferson St & Chicago St
•Scott St parking deck (may only access from Scott St)
•Ottawa St parking deck (lower level reserved for ADA)
HANDICAPPED PARKING/DROP-OFF
♿Ottawa St parking deck lower level
STREETS CLOSED 11AM Until Parade End
🚫Crowley Ave, from Ottawa St to Chicago St
🚫Benton St, from Ottawa St to Scott St
🚫Webster St, from Chicago St to Scott St
🚫Cass St, from Ottawa St to Scott St
🚫Van Buren St, from Chicago St to Scott St
🚫Jefferson St, from Ottawa St to Scott St
🚫Chicago St, from Jackson St to Jefferson St
STREETS CLOSED 3PM - 6PM
🚫Chicago St, from Clinton St to Jefferson St
🚫Van Buren St, from Chicago St to Scott St
⚠ NOTE: Entry to the Scott St parking deck will ONLY be accessible from Scott St; Cass St access to the deck will not be permitted.
# # #
In accordance with Illinois law, Joliet Police will also be operating drone technology at the event to allow for real-time public safety monitoring by a certified drone pilot. Joliet Police request attendees to immediately report any suspicious persons or activity by calling 9-1-1.

🖤🩵 GDCO IS HEADED BACK TO THE PARADE! 🩵🖤There are some traditions that hold a very special place in our history... and t...
08/21/2026

🖤🩵 GDCO IS HEADED BACK TO THE PARADE! 🩵🖤

There are some traditions that hold a very special place in our history... and this is one of them.

The Black Pride Parade began in 1987, celebrating our community, our culture and our pride.

In 2000, Generation Dance Company joined the Black Pride Parade, proudly taking our dancers into the streets to dance, march and represent GDCO. We continued participating until the parade was discontinued in the mid-2000s.

And now... IT'S BACK! 🎉 In 2026, this beloved community tradition returns with a new name and renewed spirit:
🖤 THE BLACK JOY PARADE! 🖤 And you KNOW... GDCO WILL BE BACK IN IT TOO! 🩵💃🏾🎶

On Saturday, August 29, a new generation of GDCO dancers will have the opportunity to walk, dance and celebrate along a parade route that GDCO dancers marched more than two decades ago.

There is something incredibly special about that. 🖤
Some of the young dancers who represented GDCO back then are adults today—and now our current generation gets its turn.
DO YOU WANT your dancer TO MARCH WITH GDCO?

We are inviting our GDCO students ages 7 & older to participate!
📌 SIGN-UP DEADLINE: THURSDAY, AUGUST 27
To be included, students MUST officially sign up with Ms. Sandy AND have their NEW GDCO parade T-shirt paid for in full by the deadline.

👕 A NEW GDCO PARADE T-SHIRT IS REQUIRED FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS. See Ms. Sandy (Office Manager) for details. (Previous GDCO shirts will not be allowed. also, see email sent yesterday. Only Adult sizes will be ordered for the Parade. Small Adult - Large Adult. t-shirts will be available in all sizes in September.)

1987 — A tradition began.
2000 — GDCO joined the celebration.
2026 — Black JOY returns... and so does GDCO. 🖤🩵

A SCHEDULED PRACTICE TIME FOR PARTICIPANTS ages 7-13!
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 26th at 6:00pm

A 2nd Scheduled Rehearsal will be held for all teenagers 14 and older who are in the Mon. Split Class, Wed. Beg. Teen Class & the Thurs. Adv. Teen Class held on THURSDAY, AUGUST 27th at 6:00pm ... this change was added because we were informed of a conflict regarding the local Joliet High school's holding their open house during the Wednesday scheduled time.

ROOTED IN HERITAGE.
INSPIRED BY THE FUTURE.

08/21/2026

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1JkVtXTxBs/

🖤🩵 GDCO IS HEADED BACK TO THE PARADE! 🩵🖤

There are some traditions that hold a very special place in our history... and this is one of them.

The Black Pride Parade began in 1987, celebrating our community, our culture and our pride.

In 2000, Generation Dance Company joined the Black Pride Parade, proudly taking our dancers into the streets to dance, march and represent GDCO. We continued participating until the parade was discontinued in the mid-2000s.

And now... IT'S BACK! 🎉 In 2026, this beloved community tradition returns with a new name and renewed spirit:

🖤 THE BLACK JOY PARADE! 🖤 And you KNOW... GDCO WILL BE BACK IN IT TOO! 🩵💃🏾🎶

On Saturday, August 29, a new generation of GDCO dancers will have the opportunity to walk, dance and celebrate along a parade route that GDCO dancers marched more than two decades ago.

There is something incredibly special about that. 🖤

Some of the young dancers who represented GDCO back then are adults today—and now our current generation gets its turn.

DO YOU WANT your dancer TO MARCH WITH GDCO?

We are inviting our GDCO students ages 7 & older to participate!

📌 SIGN-UP DEADLINE: THURSDAY, AUGUST 27

To be included, students MUST officially sign up with Ms. Sandy AND have their NEW GDCO parade T-shirt paid for in full by the deadline.

👕 A NEW GDCO PARADE T-SHIRT IS REQUIRED FOR ALL PARTICIPANTS. See Ms. Sandy (Office Manager) for details. (Previous GDCO shirts will not be allowed. also, see email sent yesterday. Only Adult sizes will be ordered for the Parade. Small Adult - Large Adult. t-shirts will be available in all sizes in September.)

1987 — A tradition began.
2000 — GDCO joined the celebration.
2026 — Black JOY returns... and so does GDCO. 🖤🩵

ROOTED IN HERITAGE.
INSPIRED BY THE FUTURE.

🩵 TODAY WE BEGIN AGAIN! 🩵The music comes back on.The dance bags come back out.The studio fills with laughter, movement, ...
08/15/2026

🩵 TODAY WE BEGIN AGAIN! 🩵

The music comes back on.
The dance bags come back out.
The studio fills with laughter, movement, familiar faces—and some brand-new ones.

TODAY IS THE DAY! 🎉🩰

Welcome to the 2026–2027 Generation Dance Company Dance Season!

To our returning dancers—WELCOME BACK! We've missed you, and we cannot wait to see how much you learn, grow and accomplish this year.

To our new dancers and families—WELCOME TO GDCO! We are so happy you've chosen to begin your dance journey with us, and we look forward to getting to know each of you.

Today... we get to begin again. 💙

Here's to new goals, new choreography, new friendships, lots of hard work, plenty of laughter and memories we haven't even made yet.

GDCO FAMILY... IT'S TIME TO DANCE! 🩰🎶

Rooted in Heritage. Inspired by the Future.
Let's make this our BEST SEASON YET!

🩵 THE COUNTDOWN IS ON! 🩵7 DAYS UNTIL WE DANCE! 🩰🎶Can you believe it?! In just ONE WEEK, the doors open and GDCO begins o...
08/08/2026

🩵 THE COUNTDOWN IS ON! 🩵

7 DAYS UNTIL WE DANCE! 🩰🎶

Can you believe it?! In just ONE WEEK, the doors open and GDCO begins our 2026–27 dance season!

We are ready for the music.
We are ready for the movement.
We are ready for the laughter.
We are ready for our dancers. 💙

Whether you're returning home to GDCO or walking through our doors for the very first time, we can't wait to welcome you!

📅 Classes begin Saturday, August 15!

And remember—OPEN ENROLLMENT CONTINUES! If you've been thinking about dance for your child, there's still time to become part of the GDCO family.

📍 406 Theodore St., Crest Hill, IL 60403
📞 (815) 419-3179
📧 [email protected]

7 DAYS... LET'S GO GDCO! 🎉

Rooted in Heritage. Inspired by the Future.
🩵 Let's make this our best season yet! 🩵

🩵✨ IT'S ALMOST THAT TIME... ✨🩵The countdown is almost over! GDCO's 2026–2027 Dance Season officially begins Saturday, Au...
08/05/2026

🩵✨ IT'S ALMOST THAT TIME... ✨🩵

The countdown is almost over! GDCO's 2026–2027 Dance Season officially begins Saturday, August 15! 🩰🎉

We are so excited to welcome back our returning dancers and meet all of the new faces joining the GDCO family this season!

Enrollment is STILL OPEN!

There's still time to register and become part of our 27th Dance Season filled with learning, laughter, friendships, and unforgettable memories.

📅 Important Enrollment Dates
🩵 Returning Students: Enrollment closes Sat., Sept. 12, 2026

🩵 New Students: Enrollment closes Wed., Sept. 30, 2026

💙 To Enroll: Scan the QR code on our flyer to pre-register.

For 27 years, Generation Dance Company has been committed to providing quality dance education in a welcoming, family-centered environment where dancers build confidence, discipline, creativity, and lifelong friendships.

Whether your child is stepping into a dance studio for the very first time or continuing their dance journey with us, we can't wait to share another incredible season together!

Rooted in Heritage. Inspired by the Future.

🩵 Let's Move Together! 🩰

🩵✨ The countdown is ON! ✨🩵Classes begin Saturday, August 15! 🩰💙Although our Annual Registration Days have ended, Open En...
07/27/2026

🩵✨ The countdown is ON! ✨🩵

Classes begin Saturday, August 15! 🩰💙

Although our Annual Registration Days have ended, Open Enrollment continues! There is still time to become a part of our Generation Dance Company family for our exciting 2026–2027 Dance Season!

Whether your dancer dreams of twirling across the stage in ballet shoes, tapping to the beat, mastering hip hop, exploring modern dance, or simply making new friends and building confidence, there's a place for them at GDCO!

🌟 Pre-Register today by scanning the QR code on the flyer.

📍 Generation Dance Company
406 Theodore Street
Crest Hill, IL 60403

📞 (815) 419-3179
📧 [email protected]

For 27 years, Generation Dance Company has been committed to providing quality dance education in a welcoming, family-oriented environment where every dancer is encouraged to learn, grow, and shine.

We can't wait to welcome our returning dancers and meet all of the new faces joining us this season!

Let's Move Together! 💙🩰

🎉 ONE LAST CHANCE! 🎉 💙 ONE DAY. BIG SAVINGS!This Saturday is our 2nd & FINAL Registration Day before classes begin ...
07/22/2026

🎉 ONE LAST CHANCE! 🎉 💙 ONE DAY. BIG SAVINGS!

This Saturday is our 2nd & FINAL Registration Day before classes begin on August 15!

Whether you're returning to Generation Dance Company or thinking about joining us for the very first time, we'd love to welcome you to our 27th Dance Season!

🗓️ Saturday, July 25
🕙 10:00 AM – 3:00 PM

✨ Save $10 when you register on Saturday.
✨ Save $15 when you pre-register online and complete your registration on Saturday.
✨ Save $20 when you bring a NEW student who registers with you on Saturday!

📌 To receive any registration discount, Annual Registration and the first month's tuition must be paid in full at the time of registration.

Classes begin August 15! We can't wait to welcome both new and returning dancers for another exciting year of learning, growing, and making memories together.

📍 Generation Dance Company
406 Theodore Street • Crest Hill, IL

📞 Questions? Give us a call at (815) 419-3179.

Let's Move Together! 💙🩰

💜 GDCO Family… we have a special dancer we'd love to introduce (or reintroduce!) to you.Many of you may already recogniz...
07/21/2026

💜 GDCO Family… we have a special dancer we'd love to introduce (or reintroduce!) to you.

Many of you may already recognize this beautiful young lady. If you don't, let me introduce you to Layla Dae Mars, one of our incredible eighth-grade GDCO dancers.

Layla has been a GDCO student since the age of three, but I have personally had the privilege of teaching Layla for the past two years, and during that time I've come to love her bright smile, great sense of humor, and fun, silly personality. She brings so much joy to the studio.

One thing Layla is not silly about, though, is running. Track and field is truly in her blood. Her father was an elite athlete, and his passion and talent have certainly been passed down to Layla. Her dedication, determination, and work ethic are inspiring to watch.

Like so many of our amazing GDCO students, Layla is not only a wonderful dancer but also an exceptional athlete. She and her family are asking for a little support as she pursues an exciting opportunity in track and field—one that will challenge her, help her grow, and bring her one step closer to achieving her goals.

Please take a moment to read the attached flyer. If you feel moved to contribute or share, I know Layla & her family would be incredibly grateful for your kindness and support.

Thank you, GDCO family, for always showing up for one another. ❤️

Address

406 Theodore Street
Crest Hill, IL
60431

Telephone

(815) 419-3179

Website

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