The final dance

Dani Alex has been teaching dance in Havre for 18 years, but for her, the decision to retire marks the end of a major part of something she's been doing most her life.

"Our last show is called 'A Night on Broadway,'" Alex said. "It's mainly Broadway tunes that feature modern, jazz, tap, hip hop and tumbling. ... I wanted to go out with a bang."

The show premieres this weekend, and when the curtains close at the end of the show Sunday, her business closes with it.

"It's truly bittersweet," Alex said. "And more bitter, I think, than sweet. I'm not just giving up my business; I'm giving up my family, my friends, my social life because this, like, consumes my life."

She said the main reason she decided to retire from teaching dance is her own blood family. Her family has been missing her for the last 18 years, she said, and they are growing and getting bigger every year.

It won't be a total break from the dance world for her. She has two daughters who are ballet and tap dancers and she sits on the board of the Montana Dance Association.

She said she has been considering retiring for the past five years and said she decided to finally go for it this year. She said she think she might be too old to handle the stress of the business.

Alex also works part- to full-time at Northern Montana Hospital as a nurse and will continue to work.

"I knew that when it was time, I would know it was time," Alex said. "But I'm not sure after four months or five months away I won't think it's time and I might have to start something back up again, I don't know."

Alex said she started dancing in a church basement when she was 12 and took over her teacher's studio when she was 19.

Showtimes are Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. at the Havre High School auditorium.

The show is $12 per adult, $6 per child 4-12 and free to children 3 and under.