Wednesday, February 16th,
Microsoft partnered with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middlesex County and Harmonix to host a Kinect Dance Party for 100 local
elementary and middle-school children. Kids and adults alike had a great time playing
with Dance Central and Kinect!
As you may know,
Microsoft recently launched Kinect for Xbox 360, a revolutionary sensor that lets
you control games, music and television with your gestures and voice.
Completely controller-free, Kinect introduces a new way to play that lets you
use your whole body, encouraging active, immersive and social experiences.
Microsoft has donated
Kinect for Xbox 360 to thousands of Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide,
including the Windsor St. Clubhouse. Here
in Cambridge, Microsoft partnered with Harmonix, the developers who created the
worldwide blockbuster, Rock Band™ and now Dance Central,™ the first immersive dance video
game that features and tracks full-body dance moves, to plan a party where
students could learn about how Kinect and Dance Central were created, and get a
chance to learn – and dance – with the experts.
At this special event,
over 100 local youth from the Cambridge Boys & Girls Club, the Margaret Fuller House,
the Cambridge Community Center, and the
Community Art Center got a behind-the-scenes look at how
Kinect and the Dance Central game were created. Lead designer for Dance
Central, Matt Boch, shared his story
about developing the game, highlighting the importance of team work and
collaboration with many partners including Microsoft and pop artists like Lady
Gaga, Cascada, Rihanna and others. Interestingly enough, in Matt’s spare time,
he serves as the lead singer for the Main Drag. Matt is also a VJ and video artist
and makes video game remixes through his music project, AniGif.
Microsoft’s Senior
Academic Evangelist, Edwin Guarin, gave the kids an insider’s view
into how the Kinect was created, while reflecting on the evolution of the
gaming industry. As a child, Edwin recounts the popularity of Pac-Man - now,
it’s Kinect!
Finally, Dance Central
choreographer Marcos Aguirre
rocked it out with the kids, showing his love for dance through his Dance
Central demo.
As an added bonus, Dr. Jeffrey Young, superintendent of Cambridge Public Schools and Tim Toomey, Cambridge
City Councilor & State Representative stopped by to join in the
festivities.
"We truly had a special day. Just one week after the
City of Cambridge became the nation’s newest ‘Let’s Move’ city, signing on to
Michelle Obama’s nationwide initiative to end childhood obesity, we had two
worldwide leaders, Microsoft and Harmonix voicing their commitment to our
community. The generous donation of Kinect for Xbox 360 is a perfect
complement to Boys & Girls Clubs of Middlesex County’s commitment to health
and fitness and gives kids a whole new way to get active. The Kinect systems
will enhance our exercise and gaming programs used to help all youth,
especially those who are most sedentary and shy away from traditional sports
and fitness activities, to become active and excited about moving in a
supportive environment."
Mechilia Eng, Executive Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Middlesex County
The members had a
great time at the party, and we want to extend a huge THANKS to Microsoft and
Harmonix for their partnership. We can’t
wait to see what’s next!