Stage

In Good Company: Eau Claire resident launches dance company

Haley Wright, photos by Andrea Paulseth |

BaredFeet Company is a new dance organization in Eau Claire headed up by Lynn Buske, with the intent of furthering local appreciation for the art form and raising funds for her nonprofit.
BaredFeet Company is a new dance organization in Eau Claire headed up by Lynn Buske, with the intent of furthering local appreciation for the art form and raising funds for her nonprofit.

Lynn Buske of Eau Claire is launching BaredFeet Company, a local contemporary dance company, in the next two months. Buske wants to bring professional, expressive, contemporary dance performances to the community and provide education on contemporary arts and their power as a wellness tool. The company will be part of her existing nonprofit organization, which runs under the same name and provides arts for wellness classes and services, including yoga classes, for children and adults.

“I have been a bit depressed at the lack of a dance presence here in the performing arts over the past 10 years that I have resided here, and I’ve just decided it’s time to just make one.” – Lynn Buske, Bared Feet Company

Buske – who has 20 years of experience in choreographing, teaching, producing, and performing dance in Iowa, Washington, and Wisconsin – said the time and place to launch the dance company is right. “I have been a bit depressed at the lack of a dance presence here in the performing arts over the past 10 years that I have resided here, and I’ve just decided it’s time to just make one,” she said. Art appreciation in Eau Claire is on the rise, but with cuts to the UW-Eau Claire dance program, she saw a void she could fill.

“I was waiting until I had the funding for a space but now I’m just going for it – to make it happen,” Buske said. BaredFeet Company will consist of local dancers and musicians, all adults, who will collaborate to create mature pieces that will educate people on the communicative power of dance as an art form.

The dance company is intended to fund the nonprofit, and both can use community support. Buske is seeking space for the nonprofit and company to use for rehearsals and performances. The company is currently rehearsing in the Anandaworks Wellness and Education Center, 320 Putnam St., and Buske expects their first performance to take place there as well. “Eventually we will have our own space but will probably always perform other places – including outside!” Buske said. While the company has already started rehearsing, Buske is still actively looking for additional local talent to be part of the dance company, including musicians to create original music for the performances.

BaredFeet Company welcomes the public’s interest, and Buske reports that community response to the dance company has been very warm. She is ready to get started with performances. “Show me interest. Talk to me. Tell me what you want or share whatever you have to offer us. Book us. Donate to the nonprofit – I am building from literally nothing and want to give this community something amazing. We could be ready for our first gig in 2 months – if anyone will have us!” Buske said.

To learn more and get involved, check out baredfeet.wordpress.com.