The Rialto Center for the Performing Arts at Georgia State University will present Moving in the Spirit’s Origins: Honoring Our Humanity on May 1, 2008 at 7pm. This exciting event, which examines music and dance throughout history, is the culmination of a series of collaborations and community projects that have engaged and empowered youth to promote social change in their communities.

Moving in the Spirit, a dance-based youth development program serving youth ages 3-18, partners every year with local artists and youth groups to create a large scale multi-media production. This year, Moving in the Spirit students, faculty and collaborators wanted to do more than simply stage an evening of performance. As they began planning for this year’s show, they realized that they wanted to not only celebrate a collective spirit of humanity, but also wanted to dive deep into their own lives and ask the question, How can we be the change we want to see in the world?

In response to this question, Moving in the Spirit students and faculty identified social causes, created plans of action and became agents of social change in their community. Projects ranged from advocacy for homeless animals, water conservation, recycling, and caring for the elderly. Other projects explored homelessness, fair trade, human trafficking, young female empowerment, tolerance and racial reconciliation. Ultimately, each student and faculty member became an advocate for a cause and an information bearer on the need for social change in our community, and the lessons they learned are shared throughout Origins: Honoring our Humanity.

Collaborators on this exciting project include renowned poet Alice Lovelace, prominent visual artist Sal Brownfield and the Atlanta Young Singers of Callanwolde. “We believe that collaborative partnerships allow us to bridge communities, transcend barriers and deepen the cultural impact of our creative work”, says Artistic and Executive Director, Dana Lupton.  Stressing the importance of this opportunity for the young people involved, visual artist Sal Brownfield says, “We need the arts.  The arts give us something that nothing else can provide, individual expression. We need opportunities for our youth such as Moving in the Spirit and I’m delighted to have been invited to participate.”

Origins: Honoring Our Humanity will be held on May 1, 2008 at 7pm at The Rialto Center for the Arts at Georgia State University. Tickets may be purchased for $16 at the door on the night of the event. Children under the age of 3 can attend the performance free of charge. For more information, call 404-624-5295.