Philadanco Preps for Philly Show

December 8, 2014 (WPVI) -- Philandanco is preparing for its 45th annual season in January! But first they're putting on a show for their hometown fans.

When Joan Myers Brown founded Philadanco in 1970, she says her goal was to use dance to break down barriers by bringing together people from diverse backgrounds. With the dance troupe and her Philadelphia School of Dance Arts, Myers Brown says the mission is to provide emerging and professional dancers with a nurturing environment where they can grow and develop.

"When I started Philadanco it was all the kids from my dancing school because there weren't performing opportunities in the city for African-American youth. Now the company is fully integrated," says Myers Brown, "My school is 55 years old, the company is 45 years old. It's a hundred years of dance business, so I'm excited about a hundred years."

The troupe just got back from a performance in Chile and is now rehearsing for a 3 month international tour in 2015. A show Myers Brown has dubbed "Risky Business" is Philadanco's last in the US before going abroad.

"People in Philadelphia have a habit of saying I saw them, I saw that, so I want to say that this is something you haven't seen," says Myers Brown, "You have to think of what would people like to see. It just calls for a little thought, a little creative thought and I kind of rely on my memory to see what works with what."

Through the years Myers Brown says Philadanco has strived to elevate its productions while also preserving African-American traditions through performances.

"The repertoire still reflects what I like in dance. I like for people when they come to the theater to have a good time, to enjoy dance, to feel good about what they've seen and enjoy what they've seen,"

Risky Business runs December 12th-14th at the Kimmel Center. For tickets go to www.TheArtsinPhilly.org.

Or you can visit 6abc.com/lovesthearts for more on this and other area events.