The music was blaring while people were dancing in the streets in Moncton on Thursday for the first Downtown Dances event.
Business owners and employees stepped into their dancing shoes in hopes of adding a little spark to Moncton’s downtown.
“We have talked about revitalizing our downtown for a long time. We have done the visioning, we have done the studies, this is just another way of thinking about what we need to do to make so vibrant and dynamic a great place for people to live work and play,” said Moncton mayor Dawn Arnold.
The Downtown Dances event was hosted by Downtown Moncton Inc. Over 80 employees from downtown businesses were choreographed by professional dancers from the Atlantic Ballet Theatre.
Shop keepers, lawyers and office staff — no one of whom are professional dancers — let go of their inhibitions and strutted their stuff.
World-renowned dancer and choreographer, Igor Dobrovolskiyp, from the ballet theatre said people were taught, with a little practice, how to take movements they use every day to create dance moves.
“How you use your gesture every day, this is you choreography,” Dobrovolskiyp said.
At least 200 people gathered along Main Street to take in the performances.
“I think it’s a great way to connect the community and connect the downtown and do something fun and put Moncton on the map,” said Cathy Manuel.
Mayor Arnold also said the event was an opportunity to gather suggestions from residents on what they’d like to see when it comes to breathing new life into the downtown.