The Lilac City enjoys the gift of dance with 5th Annual Lila Dance fest

On Saturday the fifth annual dance extravaganza boasted some 35 dance companies and 120 dancers from all over New England and as far away as Argentina. (Lila Productons photo)

ROCHESTER - Janelle Abbott-Staley of York, Maine, remembers the first Lila Dance Festival held at the Rochester Common five years ago.
"There was just one performance," recalled Abbott-Staley, who has helped organize the festival since its inception.

Hernan Martinez from Argentina, left, and Ryan Moyer of Dover relax at a vendor table before Saturday's Fifth Annual Lila Dance Festival. (Rochester Voice photo)

On Saturday the fifth annual dance extravaganza boasted some 35 dance companies and 120 dancers from all over New England and as far away as Argentina.
The Lila Dance Festival is the brain child of Nathan and Elyssa Moyer of Rochester, longtime professional dancers who had a vision to bring a dance festival to the Lilac City.
"We wanted to provide an opportunity for local dancers to showcase their talents," said Nathan Moyer on Saturday as he and other organizers were preparing for the festival. "We also wanted to bring the art of dance to the Greater Rochester community to enjoy."
The festival ran nonstop from noon-8 p.m. on a very warm, late-summer day that featured a blustery wind as Hurricane Erin passed offshore to the east.
Hundreds packed the Common throughout the afternoon, lounging on blankets or sitting on soccer chairs as they watched dancers from all genres showcase their dance flair on a temporary stage.
Among the dancers was Ryan Moyer of Dover, who has been practicing tap dance since he was two. His specialty is rhythm tap.
Meanwhile, the dancer who had traveled the farthest to participate was choreographer and dancer Hernan Martinez from Argentina.
Martinez said he first met Nathan Moyer when he had traveled to Argentina to practice dance.
Also participating in Saturday's festival were several local dance schools including Corinne's School of Dance, The Dance Annex, the Russian Ballet Academy and Studio 109.