The Somerville Arts Council is helping to promote appreciation of the art of dance by sponsoring events such as Dancing in the Streets. – Photo by Martynas Limantas

By Martynas Limantas

Dancing in the Streets, a series of performances that hit City Hall, local plazas, parks and basketball courts over the past month, finished off the lineup this past Saturday at Davis Square with showings from Weber Dance and EgoArt Inc. The shows sought to engage the public in live performances, expressive movement and create awareness of American dance.

“This is the first year of this specific series and it features local talent,” said Gregory Jenkins the Executive Director of the Somerville Arts Council.

Jenkins said the idea started ten years ago by showcasing an event entitled Somerville Struts. The Council further supported the idea through an ArtBeat showcase at Union Sqaure, and through a LCC grant.

“We did have a desire to hold dance performances in different areas of the city. We intentionally wanted to do productions in areas outside of Davis and Union. The work in Foss Park, Magoun Square, Somerville Ave., and Conway Park has been great,” elaborated Jenkins on the progress of events.

The sky was darkening and the stage was set. In the Bank of America parking lot at Davis Square, and with a big crowd on hand, the music and dance was about to begin. The lights were on and the performers lined the reflecting dance floor. The crowd looked on with anticipation as the music suddenly engaged the movement of the dancers.

In a continuous development, the dances progressed with shapes and forms of the shifting bodies ever changing and expressing. Under beaming lights the shadows mimicked the motions and patterns, bringing out the power of live performance.

The show concluded with loud applause, whistles and shouts in the crowd.

“We have always done programming with the community, to enliven that community. We intentionally seek out local talent to support them and to provide a forum for them to showcase their work to neighbors and friends,” said Jenkins of the importance of the performing art shows in Somerville.