Tiny Dancers Spin Away From Gangs

Ten-year-old Domonique Paton may face dangers in her life, but stage fright isn’t one of them.

“I wasn’t nervous at all,” said the pigtailed Valley Village girl after bringing down the house Sunday at the Lankershim Arts Center in North Hollywood with her rendition of the folksy “We Haven’t Finished Yet.”

Domonique’s solo kicked off the first performance by the Martin Children’s Dance Company, a 16-member troupe made up of at-risk youths ages 7 to 12. Many of the participants live in dangerous neighborhoods or have siblings who have joined gangs.

Choreographer Shirley Martin spent five weeks teaching the children to perform complex African dance movements, set to an insistent drumbeat.

“They really did a good job,” she said after the performance. “Most of the students haven’t danced at all before coming here and it’s amazing how far they have progressed.”

Martin works with the Los Angeles Police Department’s Jeopardy program, which aims to keep youths away from gangs. She recently started the dance company “to give [the youths] a place to go and something positive to do,” she said.

Martin demands discipline from program participants.

“They have to be here on time and must work together in harmonious unity,” she said. “Harmonious unity is what the Martin dancers is all about.”

After the performance, Martin awarded certificates to each of the participants, certifying them founding members of the dance company.

Nine-year-old Shadai Alvarenga, of Echo Park, showed that she had at least learned to flatter the teacher. “I want to say thank you to my lovely teacher who taught me all these things,” she said after receiving her certificate.

Parents interested in enrolling their children in the dance company can call the arts center at (818) 752-2616.