The value of appreciating one’s body by dancing is the key inlet to a greater mobility, self-confidence, physical awareness, expressiveness, and a greater sense of meaning. Add a partner, and older dancers benefit from the social interaction as well. With this thought as a motive Naomi Haas Goldberg founded Dances for a Variable Population in 2005, a non-profit that promotes intergenerational dance events in New York City.
“You’re never too old to dance”, says Goldberg.
The program is recognized for its free site-related professional dance performances in city parks and transportation hubs. The organization has a special focus on senior citizens, but also host low cost dance workshop for adults of ages. Free community based dance programs is another initiative that the organization embraces.
Some of the group’s funding comes from the National Endowment for the Arts. A recent $10,000 grant supported a dance event called ‘Revival’ for the purpose of engaging larger audience and building public awareness for unique artistic forms. The event attracted 150 dancers at two events this summer, one at Grant’s Tomb in West Harlem, and another at Lincoln Statue in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park.
The event was a collaboration between the dance company and seven guest choreographers with a lifetime of experience and expertise in their techniques, including Stuart Hodes, George Faison, Elizabeth Keen, and Marnie Thomas Wood.
Revival’s theme was to recover, embrace and recreate the olden day art forms, by analyzing the impact these historical techniques have had on dance history. The whole initiative also served as a tribute to the performing dance legends such as Lester Horton, Alvin Ailey, Martha Graham, Paul Taylor, Helen Tamiris, Daniel Nagrin, Pearl Primus and Katherine Dunham.
“It was our most favorite and popular event so far,” said Brandi Williams, a staff member at the Dances for A Variable Population. “And we’re looking forward for more such initiatives that celebrate dance in a body positive environment, while helping the elderly stay happy and confident.”
Rasika Rane 