The Gallery At Market East Features More Than Shopping

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Two community-based art programs are underway in the Gallery at Market East throughout the month of February.

A little girl shouts to her dad that "they're dancing in there." On the third floor of the Gallery, dancers from the Group Motion Dance Company are performing in a glassed-in studio overlooking Market Street.

It's part of Dance in Public Places, a new program by Dance USA Philadelphia that features practices every Monday through Saturday throughout February involving 24 local dance companies.

"Often people don't know the difference between the two genres. They'll ask what's the difference between modern dance or contemporary dance. They'll ask - what are they doing now? Are they warming up or are they actually repeating or dancing?" says Lois Welk, the director of the program.

Maureen Weir is with the Gallery and says the kids are in awe. "They look up and see a dance troupe rehearsing and they didn't expect it. So it's a nice surprise and they really enjoy it."

Right across the hall, the studio where the How Philly Moves 50,000-square foot mural is being created and the public is invited to watch.

Reported By Karin Phillips, KYW Newsradio.