Dancing Belonging as an Action with NYC Elders

Stories in the Moment for ALL extends the “Stories in the Moment” dance program to diverse older adults living independently in the community. The program grew out of a recognition that there is a need for more arts and health programs that extend brain health for many community dwelling older adults while acknowledging the role of dance in building and magnifying a sense of community.

This program was offered in collaboration with Sirovich Center for Balanced Living, an older adult center which is part of the neighborhood settlement house Education Alliance, serving elders in the East Village of Manhattan. The program was funded by a SU-CASA grant through the Department for Cultural Affairs, Department for the Aging and the local council member through partnership with the Manhattan based queers performing arts non-profit Pioneers Go East Collective (PGEC).

The program was offered weekly in person and every other week online serving over 55 community elders for 26 total sessions and a culminating dance performance and community event. Over the course of the 5 month residency, the participants worked together with the lead artist, Magda Kaczmarska and PGEC artists to co-create choreography centering themes of belonging as an action. 

The program culminated with a community event, which was attended by 50+ audience members of all ages. The performance featured choreography co-created by the performers (21 in total: 17 elders and 4 artists) as well as as interactive improvised dance score featuring invitations of connection delivered using origami paper hearts, a group dance poem  and folk dance.

Audience and community members were also invited to reflect on the meaning of belonging and share their reflections on a pin board, which was prominent in the center after the event.

A video of the culminating event with the Sirovich Center community can be found here.

This program was supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council.

Special thanks to Jacqueline Savage and Michael Laster for sharing Marty Laster’s story and music which helped carry our collective dance stories!

Hug thank you to Pioneers Go East Collective and Education Alliance/Sirovich Center Teams: Gian Marco Riccardo Lo Forte, Cory Michael Herman, ShaoMei Zhang, Schekira Wilson, Yenny Eng

Tremendous gratitude to Council Member Carlina Rivera (District 2), Kate Scherer and Julio Chavez Rivas from the District 2 Council Office; DCLA, DFTA for your support through the SU-CASA Program.