Join DVP for masked and socially distanced outdoor in-person classes at locations around the city!
OLDER ADULTS OF ALL AGES AND ABILITY ARE INVITED TO JOIN!
If inclement weather, the class at Washington Square Park will be held at the Church of Pompeii/Greenwich House Senior Center, 25 Carmine Street (enter on Bleecker Street).
If inclement weather, the class at Grants Tomb and the class on Lou Gehrig Plaza, East 161 Street will be canceled.
Call one hour before 347-683-2691 to find out about whether we are canceling.
VIDEOS OF EXERCISES – do these at home or in the park!
Park Bench 1 (CLICK HERE TO LINK TO VIDEO)
Park Bench 2 – Standing Legs (Part 1) (CLICK HERE TO LINK TO VIDEO)
Park Bench 3 – Seated Legs (CLICK HERE TO LINK TO VIDEO)
Park Bench 4 – “Dynamics” (different ways of moving) from MOVEMENT SPEAKS®(CLICK HERE TO LINK TO VIDEO)
Park Bench 5 – Standing Legs (Part 2) plus Choreography with Theo! (CLICK HERE TO LINK TO VIDEO)
Park Bench 6 – “Hands” from MOVEMENT SPEAKS® with Rebecca and Creative Dance with Guest Artist, Ellen Graff! (CLICK HERE TO LINK TO VIDEO)
Park Bench 7 – Dancing Together – A creative exercise from MOVEMENT SPEAKS® with Rebecca, Gierre and guest artist Ellen Graff (CLICK HERE TO LINK TO VIDEO)
Please keep tuned as we expand these programs!
MOVEMENT SPEAKS®
MOVEMENT SPEAKS® offers seniors in low-income communities free sequential dance instruction followed by a public performance of their original work. Ranging in length from 10 to 36 weeks, each 75-minute session typically includes warm-up and dance exercises for seated and standing participants; individual and group dance improvisation; memorization of basic movement phrases; and cool-down. Throughout the program, students will create movement in preparation for culminating performances, which take place at the workshop site or in the surrounding community. The program operates in libraries and senior centers citywide.
“Before I started I was very heavy, 300 pounds at 5’5. As we participated in the dance, my weight started coming down, my diabetes settled down and I’m doing so much better. I love this program to death. It’s very challenging. You’re challenging yourself; you’re challenging your mind. This dance class has saved my life.” – Participant, Citizens Care Senior Center, Harlem
“Although I had danced “a while ago” I developed a new spirit here in extending creatively legs, arms, head, shoulders, fingers, knees and toes. We were able to engage one another with positive “can do” statements. I truly am passionate what this project does, what it promotes and the joy it engenders!”- Participant, Central Harlem Senior Center, Harlem
“The program attracted me since I have had a double hip replacement and I don’t walk enough. The doctor said I need to move more. I really liked the idea of since it was a different kind of movement besides walking.” –Participant, George Bruce Library, West Harlem
“Before Movement Speaks I was sort of unsure about everything, now I feel my world is my oyster.” –Participant, George Bruce Library, West Harlem
“I love that we are all in this together; it’s a shared experience of dancing amongst all of us.” – Participant, Central Harlem Senior Center
“I like that I come here and do what I CAN. I focus on what I can do and not what I can’t.”- Participant, Central Harlem Senior Center
“It’s for any level of learning or body movement. If I cannot do the movements that day standing, its no big deal I just sit with the others who take part from the chairs.”- Participant, George Bruce Library, West Harlem
“I have always felt that I had a dancing heart, but I couldn’t do anything about it before. Now it’s my time and I will dance.” – Participant, George Bruce Library, West Harlem