EAST LONGMEADOW – Dancers with the Artistic Dance Conservatory of East Longmeadow will take to the stage on Jan. 7 at City Stage in Springfield at 7 p.m. for a performing arts charity gala called “Explore Your Dreams.”

Jennifer Dublio, owner of Artistic Dance Conservatory, which underwrites the gala, told Reminder Publications this is the seventh year the gala has taken place.

Fifty percent of the funds raised through the gala would be used to support scholarship funds, she noted.

“We do offer financial aid for a lot of the dancers that do come in and don’t have an opportunity to do it otherwise,” Dublio explained. “We also perform an original ballet in the community – so we go to local schools, nursing homes, we also do the East Longmeadow Senior Center … In order to raise money for it we have this gala that we host in Springfield at City Stage.”

Dublio said this year a ballet version of “The Jungle Book” will be performed at the gala. There are 29 dancers ranging in ages 7 to 18 that will take part in the ballet.

The dance studio includes 250 students of all ages. Some of the styles of dance offered include modern dance, jazz, contemporary, tap dancing, and acrobatics.

“It’s a lot of fun for kids, but I also add guest artists to the lineup,” she noted. “So, it’s a full show. The kids perform and we bring in artists from the community [and] New York. This year we have Project 44 [of New York]. We also bring in Show Circus Studios of Easthampton, they come every year.”

She explained Project 44 is an all male contemporary dance group and every year a different artist is chosen from a major metropolitan area to perform.

“It’s a great way for these young teens and young dancers to see the greater community and to learn how to give back and to appreciate what it means to not just dance for themselves, but to offer that out to other people,” Dublio said.

The Show Circus includes aerial acts, hand balancing, while other performers include Eclipse Dance Company and Falcetti Musicians of Springfield. Dublio noted the goal is to present a mix of different types of performing arts.

“I think it’s a great way for Western Massachusetts to come together a bit and support the arts, especially on this side of the highway,” she added. “This side – I don’t think we get as much credit as we deserve. We have a lot of artists out on this side. We have a black box theater here that hosts small performances and I just think it’s a good way to bring people to [the lower Pioneer Valley] and see all the artists over here.”

For more information about the gala visit www.dancewithadc.com.