Children from five Washington, D.C. schools have been invited to attend Joy of Motion Dance Center’s Fall Motion Expressions Concert 2011, part of JOMDC’s outreach dance education program Motion Express.

The concert, free to both the schoolchildren and the general public, will take place December 13 at 10am at the Atlas Performing Arts Center, 1333 H Street NE, Washington. Schools attending include Washington Middle School for Girls, Spingarn High School, Deal Middle School, Browne Education Campus, and Stuart-Hobson Middle School. Audience members should RSVP to outreach@joyofmotion.org by December 6.

This year’s concert is focused on the elements and principles of hip-hop, its origins, and influences. Special performances include JOMDC’s resident adult hip-hop company DCypher Dance; hip-hop dance company Urban Artistry; Aysha Upchurch of Life, Rhythm, Move Project; Malari Moore; and DJ RBI of WPFW-FM.

The goal of Motion Express is to provide an entry point to the art of dance by engaging high-risk youth ages 4 to 18 in dance classes, training, and performances, thereby promoting physical activity, encouraging healthful choices, and fostering healthy relationship building through the social activities inherent in a dance class setting.

For more information, visit www.joyofmotion.org.