Oluyinka Akinjiola, artistic director of Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater in Portland, OR, discusses how she presents Afro centric dance as a core value and aesthetic.
Esie Mensah a dance artist in Toronto, Canada, discusses her work, SHADES, which examines the effects of colorism within the Black community, and her extensive process revisiting…
Emily Running shares how and why she founded Dance Wire, an organization that aims to enhance the prosperity and visibility of dance in Portland, OR, as well as her hopes for…
Karen Daly, a dancer in Eugene, OR with DanceAbility International, shares the story of her entrance into dance in her 40s and some highlights from her career working with…
Daria Baidina, a Moscow-based dance artist, shares her experience participating in the Inclusive Dance Lab, a project of BodyWise Dance, which is a dance organization run by Margot Greenlee in Washington DC.
Sofia Engelman and Em Papineau, queer dance artists in New England, discuss their histories, processes, and how themes of stamina, support and survival guide their work.
Centering Afro Centric Choreography
Diving into The World of Shadeism
Portland’s Dance Wire Promotes Visibility and Connectivity
Being Seen as A Dancer
Ballroom dancer Katie Flashner discusses her recently published books – “A Journal for the Whole Dance Journey” and “The Choreography Journal” – and how they might serve as a framework to reflect, motivate, learn and improve.
Jenn Freeman (aka Po’Chop), a Chicago-based performance artist, shares how she found her voice through burlesque and how her recent piece aimed to uplift Black women’s voices.
Mary Elizabeth Lenahan, director of Dance Express, an inclusive dance company based in Fort Collins, CO, shares how the company has been promoting diverse artistic expression and creativity for 30 years.