Let’s Dance, Lowell!

Public artist Kit Collins is working with the City of Lowell’s Office of Cultural Affairs and Special Events to create Lowell’s first citywide public art project in the summer of 2024!

“Let’s Dance, Lowell!” is a network of eight dance diagrams painted directly onto the sidewalk in locations around the City - one in each neighborhood. Each one depicts a dance move selected and choreographed by members of the Lowell community. Each represents a different slice of Lowell’s vibrant dance culture - and each is an invitation to dance!

This project is all about getting public art into Lowell’s neighborhoods, celebrating local music and dance, and making our sidewalks a little more groovy. So, let’s dance, Lowell!

Read on for more information about where to find the eight murals, installation timeline, and detailed information about each dance move and choreographer. Check out Kit Collin’s interview about “Let’s Dance, Lowell!” on LTC’s The Lowellian community production.

Eight Neighborhoods, Eight Murals

Collins worked with community members, the Office of Cultural Affairs and Special Events, the Department of Planning and Development, and other community partners to pick out suitable, well-traveled sites in each of Lowell’s residential neighborhoods.

• The Acre — Along North Common Park on Fletcher Street - opposite 2 Butterfield/384 Fletcher Street.

• Back Central — On the corner of Highland and South Streets near the STEM Academy entrance.

• Belvidere — On Douglas Road by the Reilly School - in front of the soccer fields and playground.

• Cambodiatown — Alongside Clemente Park on Middlesex Street - in front of the softball pits.

• Centralville — At the intersection of Bridge Street and Richardson Street - by the crosswalk and walking path up to the Robinson School.

• Highlands — On Avenue C - in front of the playground at Mulligan Park and Splash Pad.

• Pawtucketville — On the Esplanade, on the paved walking path surrounding the Sampas Pavilion. *Location pending DCR approval.

• South Lowell/Sacred Heart — Just inside the entrance to the Concord River Greenway, before the Wamesit Falls Overlook sign.

View the map of the locations above, or open a navigational map here.

About Each Mural

LEGENDARY — A two-person step choreographed by JL and TN of the Lowell High School Step Team. This mural was painted with assistance from the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell.

• Where to find it: Opposite 41 Avenue C, in front of the playground at Mulligan Park and Splash Pad.

• The Lowell High School team was originally formed as an offshoot of the LHS Black Unity Club. The team holds open auditions at the start of school each year, creates original Steps, and performs at various functions throughout the year.

SALSA ON 1 — Choreographed by Franswa Chevalier of Salsa in Lowell, this mural was painted with assistance from Community Connections.

• Where to find it — At the intersection of Bridge Steet and Richardson Street, by the crosswalk and walking path up to the Robinson School.

• Music Pairing — Try doing this dance to Lloraras by Oscar D’León.

• About this Dance — For more examples of Salsa on 1, check out Salsa in Lowell’s videos on YouTube.

• About Salsa in Lowell — Franswas shares: “For the last 15 years, we have been dancing various styles of Salsa: ‘Salsa on 1’ (LA style), ‘Salsa on 2’ (New York style), Casino (Cuba), and Salsa Caleña (Columbia). The style I’m more comfortable with and we have teaching is ‘Salsa on 1.’” Email: SalsainLowell@gmail.com. Follow on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/salsainLowell. Follow on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SoySalserito/videos.

• Learning Salsa with Salsa in Lowell — “We teach fundamentals and turn patterns. We have 3 different levels of formal classes on Monday and Tuesday evenings. To have fun and practice, we meet at Panela Restaurant, 525 Market St, Lowell, every Thursday 8:00 PM. We also offer free introductory classes at Panela on the 1st and 3rd Thursday of the month at 7:30 PM. No registration is required for classes at Panela, just show up at 7:25 PM. No partner necessary. Singles are welcome. To receive information about formal classes, send an email to SalsainLowell@gmail.com.”

KONPA — The Women Stars, a new Haitian youth dance troupe organized by the IINE, contributed this dance for the entrance to the Concord River Greenway.

• Music Pairing — Do the Konpa steps to “Something Going On (feat. DJ Benjimix, Gellokeyzz, G-Mixx, JustGerdy) (Kompa Gouyad Extended Mix).” Interested in more Haitian music? The Women Stars also choreograph and perform dances to songs such as “Ram (Kanaval 2008) Defile” and “A.K.I.K.O” by Emeline Michel.

• About the Women Stars — The Women Stars are a youth Haitian dance troupe made up of International Institute of New England (IINE) clients. They decided to join together to support IINE activity, especially Haitian activities, and share Haitian cultures to other cultures in the US. They have been dancing together since early 2024 and perform in Haitian and African styles. The group is made up of Bobline Moliere, Dalila Lucien, Witelande Janvier, Manuella Gracia Ndakala, and Pierre Zahra Eleonora Charles.

• About IINE — IINE’s mission is to help clients to connect and integrate into the community where they live. For more information, or to learn about volunteering, please visit IINE online.

TEEN BLOCK’S DANCE 4 PEACE — Tim Sokhoeun from LCHC’s Teen Block program has created a Zumba-inspired dance move for Douglas Road by the Reilly School. Tim and Teen BLOCK participants assisted with painting this mural, and Reilly School students provided expert supervision during recess!

• Where to find it — Right in front of the soccer fields on Douglas Road by the Reilly School.

• Music Pairing — “Pause (Zumba Mix)” by Pitbull.

• About this Dance — “I grew up learning dances from choreographers that had a unique style, a style showcasing a lot of isolation and sharp movements. Because I was heavily influenced by that unique style, a lot of my choreography has that same elements in it. For this project, I wanted to create a dance that is true to my style and a dance that is easy enough for everyone to follow. The song I chose to pair with this dance is called “Pause”. Artist - Pitbull. The vibe of the song is high energy; you’ll want to get up and dance once you hear it!”

• About the Choreographer — Tim Sokhoeun is a youth worker and mentor at Lowell Community Health Center’s Teen BLOCK, where he helps organize the popular annual Dance 4 Peace Event, and he is a professional dancer and choreographer. Tim shares: “I teach hip-hop choreography and Jazz Funk at Teen BLOCK after-school program since 2013. I started dancing the two styles back when I was 19 years old, starting with a local group called “Emphatic Force”. Eventually I started branching out to other dance communities outside Lowell - specifically Boston. For a couple of years I’ve danced with a dance company called Static Noyze and QWAM (Queens With A Mission). Both dance companies focused heavily on various styles of dancing, which included: Hip-hop, Jazz, Vogue, Contemporary, and Lyrical Hip-hop. I also took dance courses at Middlesex Community College as electives. I learned ballet, jazz funk, and contemporary dance.”

• Get Involved with Dance at Teen BLOCK — Teen BLOCK has a dance crew called ADAM Project. ADAM Project was established in 1995, in response to the rising gang violence that was happening in Lowell in the 90s, in hopes to bring the community together through dance and artistic expression. In the present day, Tim Sokhoeun, who is the current choreographer for ADAM Project, is holding FREE dance classes every Wednesday from 5pm-7pm at the Lowell Community Health Center. Location: 161 Jackson Street, 2nd Floor, Teen BLOCK department. This dance class is open to teens ages 13-18. Find more information here.

• Keep Up with Tim and Teen BLOCK — Instagram: @Tim_teenblock and @Teen_block. Facebook: Teen Block. TikTok: TeenBlock.

ROM VONG/ក្បាច់រាំវង់ — Chummeng Soun, Principal Dancer, Senior Dance Instructor and Program Director at Angkor Dance Troupe, provided choreography consultation on this Khmer social dance. Youth from the Angkor Dance Program assisted with painting this mural.

• Where to find it — This dance move is located in front of the softball pits near Clemente Park.

• Song Pairing — Dance along to Rom Vong Khmer song, គេខ្ញុំចាស់ អុំទូកឆ្លងព្រែក ក្រមុំប្រួលៗ.

• About the Dance — Rom Vong is an important dance that plays a role in building our relationship with our community and friends. It’s important because during the opening of the dance, everyone greets each other and because to follow the first people in line to forma circle. The circle is symbolic of “United as one” and the dance itself means “happy to come together, and share our joy.” Rom Vong is normally danced at social events and gatherings due to its simplicity and can be free styled by the individual dancer. You can free style the movement as you need to.

• About Angkor Dance Troupe — Angkor is a cherished and prestigious part of Lowell’s dance scene, and an ambassador for Cambodian dance and culture regionally and nationally.

• Programming and Classes — Angkor also runs classes in Traditional Cambodian Classical and Folk Dance for youth and adults; Traditional Cambodian musical instruments; and the Khmer language.

My journey in dance began at 11, when I followed my sibling to an after-school program by the Angkor Dance Troupe in Lowell, unaware that it would shape my future. A pivotal moment came when Neakru Phen Yom, a Khmer Rouge survivor, passed on foundational movement knowledge—knowledge not taught at the School of Fine Arts. By 18, I had mastered the role of “Yeak” [ogre], this experience has profoundly shaped my practice and connection to Cambodian Classical Dance.

Born and raised in Cambodia, I navigate the intersection of multiple cultures, languages, and worldviews. As a pioneering Cambodian American dance practitioner, my focus is on creating arts programs for the Cambodian diaspora. Having grown up amidst cycles of fear, poverty, suffering, and generational trauma, I am deeply committed to cultural preservation and innovation for social change within my community. Currently, as Program Director at Angkor Dance Troupe, I aim to sustain practices that intertwine Cambodian Classical and Contemporary dance, renewing appreciation for the art form. My practice blends traditional master-apprentice training with innovative approaches centered around the Diasporic imagination.

As co-founder of Urban Khmer Ballet (UBK), one of Lowell’s most vertical dance troupes, we challenge traditional boundaries through contemporary practice. Our work, celebrated as Reclaiming Imagination, embodies the evolving Cambodian identity and has been featured at music and art festivals and conferences. As a cross-disciplinary creator, I draw from interconnected understandings of humanity, history, nature, and folklore. My holistic approach to developing new work in the performing arts has inspired many creative Khmae Americans to embrace social change. — Chummeng Soun

• Learn more about Chummeng Soun and Angkor — Angkor Dance Troupe website. Subscribe to the Troupe’s newsletter, and follow along on Facebook and Instagram.

SAMBA MIUDINHO — This mural in Back Central celebrates Samba and Carnaval! Brazilian dancer Lizandra Almeida consulted on the design of this Samba mural near the entrance to the STEM Academy.

• Where to find it — This mural is located right around the corner from the STEM Academy Entrance, at the corner of South Street and Highland Street.

• About this Dance — Samba is an integral part of the Brazilian culture and characterized by fast, rhythmic footwork and swaying hips and arms to lively music. For this dance mural, Lizandra designed a simple beginner-friendly Samba step that can be slowly and accelerated as dancers get more comfortable!

• About Lizandra — Lizandra Almeida is a Brazilian dançarina, blogger, and dance teacher who is passionate about all things Samba and sharing Brazilian culture. Stay in touch with Lizandra’s adventures by following her on Instagram: @lizzcarioca.

BOMBA Y PLENA — Local youth dance troupe Acre Girls de Lowell, led by Maria Claudio, contributed this Puerto Rican dance for the sidewalk along North Common Park in the Acre. This mural was painted with assistance from the Boys & Girls Club of Greater Lowell.

• Where to find it — This mural is by the intersection of Butterfield Street and Fletcher Street, across from Eliu’s Hole in the Wall.

• Song Pairing — Una Noche en Borinquen by Los Pleneros del Quinto Olivo.

• About the Acre Girls de Lowell — This youth dance group is dedicated to preserving and sharing Puerto Rican culture. It is organized by director Maria Claudio, who consulted on the choreography for this mural, and teacher Bermaliz Berrios. The Acre Girls perform traditional Borinquen dances at a variety of venues and events around Lowell, including at the Hispanic Heritage Festival.

• About this Dance — The title means, “One night, Bomba and Plena were born in Puerto Rico”! Bomba and Plena are two percussion-forward musical traditions from the island of Puerto Rico that center the interaction between the dancer or dancers and the drummers. Acre Girls director Maria Claudio shares this about the background of the dance form:

The Bomba dance of Puerto Rico originated in the 16th century as a form of expression for African slaves who worked on sugar cane plantations: African slaves, primarily from the Sudanese and Bantu cultures, were brought to Puerto Rico by the Spanish.

The Bomba was a form of entertainment, to share news, escape routes and express joy and suffering. The Bomba songs expressed the lament of the plantation workers. The name “Bomba” was given to the musical genre and the instruments that accompany it.

La Bomba is the oldest musical tradition in Puerto Rico and is characterized by: the combination of Taíno instruments such as the maraca; the influence of traditional European dances such as the rigadoón, the quadrillé and the mazurka; the interaction between drums and the dancer, similar to the other West African musical styles; and the evolution of music through contact between slaves from different Caribbean colonies.

La Bomba is a reflection of the syncretization of the many cultural groups of Puerto Rico. African slaves, primarily from the Sudanese and Bantu cultures, were brought to Puerto Rico by the Spanish. — Maria Claudio

CUMBIA — Renowned local artist Angela Alés advised on the design of this traditional Colombian dance for the Esplanade in Pawtucketville.

• Where to find it — Find this mural on the walking path by the Sampas Pavilion - if you start at the public parking lot and walk counter-clockwise around the oval path, you will quickly come upon it.

• Song Pairing — Choreography consultant Angela Alés recommended two songs for the Cumbia - “El Pescador” by Toto la Momposina and “La Pollera Colora” by Charlie Zaa.

• About the Cumbia:

Growing up in Colombia, I was immersed in international folklore through my mother’s dance studio, which sparked my lifelong connection to dance. Being from the Atlantic coast, dancing—especially cumbia—was an essential part of life. Cumbia holds a deep personal and cultural significance; it’s Colombia’s national dance and embodies the fusion of African, Indigenous, and Spanish heritage. Although Colombia is a blend of many ethnicities, these roots form the foundation of cumbia’s unique rhythm and character.

Cumbia’s story begins in the 16th century, when enslaved Africans brought their drums and rhythms from West Africa, forming the rhythmic base of cumbia. Indigenous groups, particularly the Koguis, contributed the gaita (flute), maracas, and pito atravesao, adding a soulful, airy dimension to the sound. The Spanish later influenced the dance, introducing instruments like violins and trumpets, and traditional attire, including large skirts, flower headdresses, and vueltiao hats. This blend of cultures created a dance that has evolved into various subgenres, such as cumbia rebajada, cumbia norteña, and cumbia andina, each reflecting regional influences. — Angela Alés

• Angela Alés is a renowned painter whose work can be seen throughout the world. She is a processor at Middlesex Community College and holds a painting studio at Western Avenue. Find out more about her work at www.angelaales.com.