Downtown After-School Dancers Take the Stage for Annual Spring Show

The 4th- and 5th-grade after-school Hip Hop class from PS 276 performs at the annual Manhattan Youth spring dance concert. Photo: Carl Glassman/Tribeca Trib 

Once again, performers from Manhattan Youth’s after-school dance programs brought their moves to the PS/IS 89 stage for a set of ballet, hip hop, and jazz numbers. Some 250 kids from six Lower Manhattan schools, plus the Downtown Community Center were on hand for the annual spring show.

A video slideshow from the first of two performances by Manhattan Youth's after-school dance classes. This one included students from PS 276, PS 150, and PS 234. The second show featured dancers from the Downtown Community Center, PS 343, PS 397 and PS 89. Photos by Carl Glassman/Tribeca Trib

They danced against the backdrop of George Seurat’s famous, “A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte,” expertly reproduced by Manhattan Youth after-school art teachers Hilda Meza and Adriana Dos Santos. The choice of music was loosely inspired by the show’s theme, “Sunday in the Park.” As always, Constance Tarbox designed the costumes. 

And once again, Susan Kay directed the performance, as she has done twice a year since Manhattan Youth launched the shows in 2010. But she is increasingly sharing duties with Tasha Hunter, who handles the heavy load of administrative tasks and has been working side-by-side with Kay for seven years. Kay noted that she wants to remain involved with creative parts of the program, such as developing the concept, designing the sets and helping dance teachers select music. 

In the end, Kay said, the shows are all about having a good time, for the teachers, kids, families and staff. “It brings the Manhattan Youth community together from all the sites,” she said. “It’s really the only opportunity we have. And it’s nice to have them all work towards the same project and goal. It’s a very special event.”