Men in Motion Celebrate 10th Anniversary at Beam Theatre, 2/23-24

"Our partnership with Emory's dance program has been invaluable to our students' growth and self-esteem," says Chris McCord, Men in Motion Director. "Being exposed to Emory's students and faculty has given the boys in Men in Motion a sense that college is attainable, which is something they weren't thinking about before. The group of Emory students coming to work with Men in Motion is very diverse. For example, their student teacher, Julio, is a hispanic male from a challenging neighborhood in LA who now attends a rigorous college and studies both traditional dance and hip-hop. They see this highly diverse male who is confident in his identity and they begin to feel confidence as well."

The partnership has also positively impacted the lives of Emory's students. "What draws Emory's dance program to partner with Moving in the Spirit is the similarity of goals," shares faculty member Greg Catellier. "Both organizations enrich the lives of young people through the art of dance. By witnessing the amazing work that all the Moving in the Spirit teachers do, the Emory students learn lessons that will serve them as teachers, parents and leaders." Adds student Julio Medina, "Most Emory students I know, including myself, have become better leaders through their involvement at Moving In the Spirit. We have met extraordinary people, including staff, faculty, parents, and students, and have joined an incomparable network of motivated people."

The 10th Annual Men in Motion Show will be held on February 23, 2013 at 6pm and February 24, 2013 at 3pm and 5pm at Moving in the Spirit's The Beam Theater, located at 750 Glenwood Ave Atlanta, Georgia 30316. Tickets are $12 for adults, $6 for ages 13 and under, and free for children under the age of three. For more information or to purchase tickets online, visit www.movinginthespirit.org and click "News and Events."

Founded by Dana Lupton and Leah Mann in 1986, Moving in the Spirit is a nationally-recognized youth development program that uses dance as a vehicle to positively transform the lives of children and teens in Atlanta, Georgia. Through programs that integrate high quality dance instruction with performance, leadership and mentor opportunities, Moving in the Spirit impacts over 250 young people each year, including those from our city's most challenged communities. Moving in the Spirit has been the recipient of numerous awards and accolades, including a prestigious Youth Program Award, presented by the President's Committee on the Arts and Humanities, and the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta's 2011 Managing for Excellence Award. Ultimately, Moving in the Spirit educates, inspires and unites young people through dance, in order to help them become compassionate leaders. More information can be found at www.movinginthespirit.org.