The Holiday Store, Moving in the Spirit’s much-loved annual bazaar for the children and teens in our programs, will be held this year on December 13, 2008. Moving in the Spirit believes in rewarding the positive behaviors and achievements of our students, and awards “points” every class to students who work hard, meet their commitments and demonstrate core values. At the Holiday Store, students redeem their hard-earned points to “buy” holiday gifts for friends, family members and loved ones. We need your help to ensure the success of this year’s Holiday Store! 

Moving in the Spirit will be accepting gift donations suitable for children, teens, moms and dads through Tuesday, December 9^th. Suggested gift items include: Bath & Body Items, Sporting Goods, Bikes, CD Players/Walkmans, Toys/Puzzles, Books, Children’s Music & Videos, DVD Players, Jewelry, Cooking Supplies, Gift Certificates/Movie Passes, Video Games/ Game Boys, School Supplies, Arts & Crafts Supplies, Dancewear/Leotards, Cosmetics/Make Up for Girls, New Jackets/ Scarves, MP3 Players/I Pods, Radios/Cameras, Microwaves, Grilling Items for Dads, Tools/ Items for Dads, Watches/ Purses,  and Tickets to Sporting Events.

Cash donations and retail gift cards are also welcome, and can be mailed to Moving in the Spirit, PO Box 17628 Atlanta, GA 30316.

Moving in the Spirit also needs volunteers to help collect gifts, set up the Store (Dec. 12), wrap presents (Dec.13), and serve as personal shoppers to younger dancers (Dec.13). Hands on participation in this project will definitely renew anyone’s Holiday Spirit!

For more information on getting involved, please contact Volunteer Coordinator Kacey Harbison at volunteer@movinginthespirit.org.

On August 18 and 19, 2008, Moving in the Spirit held auditions for its Apprentice Corporation, Junior Company and Men in Motion programs. Dozens of dancers auditioned over two days, many of whom were new to the programs and had heard about Moving in the Spirit through friends and people in the community. The Apprentice Corporation accepted twelve members and six associate members. The Junior Company welcomed nine members, and will hold auditions for remaining spots in September. Men in Motion successfully completed its first round of auditions and will conduct another round later this fall.

Apprentice Corporation, Junior Company and Men in Motion are advanced programs that provide performance, leadership and mentor opportunities to dedicated young dancers who embody Moving in the Spirit’s core values. Young people auditioning for these companies are not judged solely on their technical skills, but also on their overall motivation and enthusiasm. Students who demonstrate determination and a willingness to help others are considered vital to the success of the programs.

By nurturing young people with such qualities, Moving in the Spirit creates an environment that develops compassionate leaders. One Junior Company member explains, “Moving in the Spirit helps me set goals, and helps me to learn new things. I come back every year because the people here support me. Everyone treats me and others like family. At Moving in the Spirit, I feel like I am at home.”

Congratulations Apprentice Corporation, Junior Company and Men in Motion members. We are proud and excited to welcome you into this year’s family!

Moving in the Spirit will hold its annual Registration and Orientation Day on August 16^th, 2008 between 11am and 1pm. At Registration Day, parents can enroll their children in dance classes, meet their child’s teachers, and have all their questions answered personally by Moving in the Spirit’s staff. 

Students enrolling in Moving in the Spirit classes typically begin in the Stepping Stones program (ages 3-18), which teaches the fundamentals of dance while emphasizing values of commitment, discipline and respect. As they mature, students have the opportunity to audition for Moving in the Spirit’s performance companies, Men in Motion (boys ages 8-13), The Junior Company (girls ages 8-12) and The Apprentice Corporation (male and female, ages 13-18). Members of these companies perform in community venues throughout Atlanta, as well as on regional and national dance tours.

To become a member of a Moving in the Spirit performance company, students must successfully complete an audition and sign a commitment contract outlining goals and responsibilities. Auditions for Men in Motion and the Junior Company will be held on August 18^th, 2008 from 6-8pm. The Apprentice Corporation will hold auditions on August 19^th, 2008 from 5-7pm. Classes in the Stepping Stones program are open enrollment, and do not require an audition.

Full and partial scholarships are available for all Moving in the Spirit programs. Parents can apply for need-based scholarships while registering their child on Registration Day.

Registration Day and Auditions will be held at Moving in the Spirit’s home theater, The Beam, located at 750 Glenwood Avenue, Atlanta. For more information on enrolling your child and joining the Moving in the Spirit family, please call Stepping Stones Director, Corissa Castle Wood, at 404-624-5295. 

Are you looking for a fun, rewarding and affordable arts program for your child to attend this summer? Moving in the Spirit, a nationally recognized dance and youth development program, provides such an opportunity through its annual Summer Camp. The two week camp combines dance instruction with leadership workshops, recreational activities and fun field trips. This year’s Summer Camp program will consist of:

• Dance technique classes in Hip Hop, Jazz, African, and Modern
• Choreography classes where students learn a performance routine
• Game Time & Craft Projects
• Wildcard Classes featuring a variety of surprise topics
• Health and life skills classes
• Educational and recreational field trips
• A public performance on the final day of camp

Moving in the Spirit’s Summer Camp will take place July 21^st-August 1^st 2008, Monday through Friday from 9am to 5pm. Daily drop off times are 7:30am-9am, and pick up times are 5pm-5:30pm.

The total cost for the camp, including all workshops and field trips, is $225. Need-based scholarships are available. The deadline for submitting  scholarship applicaitons is July 9th.

For more information, or to receive registration and scholarship forms, please call Summer Camp Director Chris McCord at 404-624-5295, ext. 245.