CityDance DREAM kids rehearse for their Verizon Center performances.
You have got to love a nonprofit that teaches dance, conflict resolution and self-esteem–and performs at the Verizon Center.
When Sarah Levy, the CityDance Community Programs Coordinator, asked me to help out at a DREAM rehearsal–where nearly 150 3rd –5th graders from six of DC’s public schools and one KIPP DC Charter School would rehearse together, I agreed-as long as I didn’t have to dance.
“Well, not too much,” Sarah promised me. “Just help herd the kids around at the rehearsal and generally help out.”
Still, I was nervous. I attempted a hip-hop class eight years ago and remember 20 pairs of eyes staring at me from that horrid front wall of mirrors, and 20 faces of disbelief focused on the tall, gangly lady in the back of the room.
Sarah met me on rehearsal day and introduced me to Julie Gerdes and Kelli Quinn, Director of CityDance’s Early Arts & Community Programs (which includes DREAM, the 32-week, four-hour a week program that teaches citizenship as well as dance).
Sarah, Julie and Kelli all looked hip and artsy and cool in their black CityDance T-shirt, black leggings and black boots.
I’ll bet they didn’t even plan that.
"I feel you are more successful when you work within your passion," said Mark'us "Mr. Bee" Young, a Marine turned entertainer.
Sarah introduced me to Mark’us Young, aka “Mr. Bee”, an ex-Marine and “entertainer for hire” who teaches the Thomson Elementary School CityDance kids. He really had a way with the girls (most of the 90+ kids who showed up that day were girls), and he got us to answer our Thomson roll call with “Wuh? Wuh?”
Thomson may have the youngest group of kids in the gym but we were totally the coolest.
For the next four hours, pro choreographer Aysha Upchurch got these kids to hip, hop, jump, jive and rehearse for a half-time show that would make any college or pro basketball team proud. Before go any farther, here are the half-time show dates when these awesome kids will perform:
Saturday, February 4, Georgetown vs. South Florida (click here for tickets)
Saturday, March 3, Washington Wizards vs. Cleveland Cavaliers (click here for tickets)
OK, back to the story.
Aysha taught discipline as well as dance, stopping the music if she saw one kid chewing gum. “Raise your hands if you think that is the absolute best you can do,” she’d call out. No one raised her hand.
Take two.
The kids had been rehearsing separately during their DREAM after-school programs, so they had the routine down pretty well. That also meant that I didn’t have a lot to do, which was fine by me. It was really fun to watch them and to see them throw themselves into it so completely.
One staff member asked me if I’d like my picture taken while trying to dance with the kids. (Thanks, but God, no.)
Helisha and Alexa from Oyster Adams Bilingual School had no problem meeting new pen pal friend Belina, grade 5, Brightwood Elementary School.
This Saturday rehearsal was also special because it was the beginning of the DREAM Pen Pal program. To lessen the tension among DC’s wards, CityDance DREAM paired each kid with one from another ward and school, so as they both moved on to middle school and high school they would have friends and relationships from across the District.
What a great, easy grassroots idea.
The pairs were called out and the kids crossed the gym to meet their new friends. During this first meeting, Kelli told me, the goal was to have the kids exchange basic information with the help of a Pen Pal Profile (what is your favorite color? Do you have a pet?) Then, before the next city-wide rehearsal, about three weeks from now, they each had to write the other a letter.
A letter! Not a text, not an email, not a phone call. Love it!
Ann from Turner Elementary School and Estafny from Thomson Elementary School preferred to get to know each other more quietly.
Naturally, some of the kids bonded faster than others, but everyone joined in and it was great to be part of this creative baby step toward some healing in the District.
If only the grown-ups could do this.
CityDance DREAM is much more than teaching kids to bust moves. Dance, actually, is the vehicle for the kids to develop relationships, social and civic competencies, and to learn to lead, collaborate and help others.
The twice-weekly, two-hour citizenship programs held in over 20 schools and community centers teach them self esteem, conflict resolution, confidence and giving back, as well as dance.
They perform at retirement homes, advocate for change with the DC Youth Advisory Council and create dances to interpret social problems, which they will perform, by school, at the CityDance DREAM Annual Performance at the Atlas Performing Arts Center on May 25 (don’t miss that one either).
In fact, said Julie, we are the only dance/sports group to my knowledge that brings students from across wards with the primary purpose of collaboration as opposed to competition.
Is DREAM successful? Consider this-they’ve begun a mentoring, scholarship and youth board program for middle schoolers because graduating 5th graders didn’t want to leave.
As the rehearsal and pen pal exchange drew to a close, Aysha called on the kids to form a giant circle around the gym floor. Then, as she cranked up the volume, she invited each of them to dance in the center of the circle. The extroverts tripped over themselves rushing in.
Mr. Bee grabbed my arm dragged me to the center with him. I danced a clumsy waltz with him (I learned my hip hop lesson eight years ago) while the kids cheered him on.
Al of those Monday nights watching “Dancing with the Stars” finally paid off.
CityDance DREAM is the place to volunteer if you’ve got an abundance of energy or need to work off those holiday lbs. Their volunteer needs are here and their wish list is here, but my insiders tell me that what they really need is an IT angel to overhaul their website, help with the 32-week, four-hour after school program, and transportation.
CityDance owns a few other bragging rights as well. They were selected to be part of the prestigious Catalogue for Philanthropy last year and won the 2010 DC Mayor’s Arts Award for Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education.
They show the money too, providing over $85,000 in scholarships to 33 Conservatory students (nearly one third of their enrollment) plus $15,000 to 19 students from their school and community programs.
Dance on.
