1. Arts and entertainment
MOvMNT
MOvMNT enriching the midwest with affordable dance education
Dance lessons can be ex- only styles that MOvMNT
works on. MOvMNT often
pensive and often are not
does collaborations with
accessible to those of lower
organizations such as The-
incomes and social classes.
atre Cedar Rapids. Many of
MOvMNT Dance Com-
the projects that MOvMNT
pany’s mission is to “enrich
does with other organiza-
the Midwest by promoting
tions such as Theatre Ce-
dance and providinng dance
dar Rapids involve spoken
education and performance
word performing, as well as
opportunities, regardless of
dances such as tap, jazz, and
race, religion, sexual orienta-
modern.
tion, or economic status.”
MOvMNT will start teach-
MOvMNT was founded
ing classes again in June of
by Lovar Kidd, who is also
this year. These classes only
the artistic director of the
cost five dollars, which is
company. MOvMNT has two
much cheaper than other
branches, one in Cedar Rap-
dance companies in Cedar
ids and one in Chicago. It is a
Rapids. This year, these les-
non-profit organization de-
sons were taught by Brit-
signed to make dance more
tany Ivey, who filled in for
accessible to teenagers, spe-
the artistic director who was
cifically ages 13 through 17.
away. “I work for MOvMNT
“My reason for starting the
because I have a passion
company, was to find people
for dancing and I recently
a way for making dance more
moved back to Cedar Rap-
accessible. Often times there
ids and got involved with
are low income families that
MOvMNT. I was offered the
just can’t afford to get their
opportunity and I really en-
kids in dance classes,” Kidd
joy dancing and I really enjoy
said.
teaching as well as choreog-
MOvMNT does not just
raphy,” Ivey said.
teach lessons; they also per-
In order to participate, one
form for the community. “We
needs no previous dancing
go out into the community
instruction. “We get people
and we present our dance
who have had zero dance
work,” Kidd said. These per-
experience and they work
formances are year round. “A
really hard and they come
lot of studios have a recital at
away from the experience of
the end of the year and that’s
being in the company with a
the only time that they really
level of confidence not just
do performances,” Kidd said.
in dance but as people,” Kidd
MOvMNT focuses pri-
said.
marily on hip-hop and con-
Michael Abramson
temporary dance styles.
However, these are not the
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