By Judith Stiles
In Greenwich Village, pricey high-rise buildings and New York University dorms seem to be sprouting up everywhere, squeezing out the middle-class arts organizations, which have always been the essential fertilizer for the neighborhood’s legendary culture. However, defying the real estate odds is Loco-Motion Dance and Theater group, which has been deeply rooted for 19 years in a modest rehearsal space in the basement of St. Veronica’s Church on Christopher St. Here, the creativity of young choreographers from ages 6 to 16 is nurtured, and was featured in an electric performance earlier this month at the Miller Theater at Columbia University.
One of their pieces, choreographed by 10-year-olds, called “How Are You Looking At It?” was an expression of their fascination with painting, sculpture and graffiti.
Sporting dreadlocks, young Ayo Summers declared that because of Loco-Motion, he doesn’t dare play music during homework or dinner, because he couldn’t stop himself from jumping up and dancing.
Director Lisa Pilato “allows them to access their deepest emotions and translate them into dance,” said Jennie Miller, mother of Lily Rubin Miller, who portrayed a stretching coil of clay at the Columbia performance.
For more information on Loco-Motion, visit www.loco-motiondancetheatre.org.
