Hussle and bustle

It’s a blessing to hear the footsteps of movement in Detroit’s dancing community. And this past Saturday, bodies in motion celebrated just one more advance. The Pemajju School of Dance and Related Arts was pleased to perform at the grand opening of its new studio in near east side Detroit. The relocation to Lavinia Williams Dance Space, located at 6911 E. Lafayette, was a much-needed change from the school’s original studio on Jefferson. It seems with all the success it had been experiencing, things were getting kind of cramped in there. For five years and running – leaping and bounding, actually – the school has been building a curriculum for children and adults. Under the direction of sisters Penny and Maryanne Godboldo, the school offers an impressive array of workshops in jazz, ballet, modern dance and percussion. But most outstanding: Both sisters specialize in the technique of Katherine Dunham, who was a pioneer in utilizing a Western dance approach to movement of the African diaspora. Penny, who is also the head of Marygrove College’s Dance Department, is the only certified Dunham instructor in Michigan. And Pemajju School is also happy to welcome Michael Means-Woodberry as a new member of their teaching staff. He joins the faculty from University of Michigan Dance Department to choreograph a variety of pieces for children. The school is now offering a wide variety of summer workshops for novice and advanced dancers. Contacting Penny at 313-396-3951 will get your body and soul moving.

Rebecca Mazzei is Metro Times arts and culture editor. Send comments to [email protected]