Articles from the ‘Essays’ collection

A reflection in a window shows two people sitting in a studio near a speaker setup as the cityscape glows at dusk.

Dance Isn’t What It Used To Be

Dance journalist Emmaly Wiederholt reflects on the perceived decline of San Francisco’s arts landscape while highlighting how both longstanding leaders and newly emerging dance artists continue to sustain the field through resilience, community focus, and creative determination.

February 9, 2026  |  Read Article

Five dancers in a high school gym link arms and lunge. They are wearing white.

Burning Desire to Choreograph

JoAnne Tucker, an artist in her 80s living in Costa Rica, reflects on the current political upheaval and her desire to create a dance of resistance.

February 2, 2026  |  Read Article

Two performers dressed in flowing light-colored costumes sit closely together on dimly lit steps, illuminated by warm golden stage lighting.

Natural Acts

Interdisciplinary performance artist Perel guides us through their performance of "Natural Acts," which explores the personal loss of their mother alongside the historical mass killing of disabled people during World War II.

January 5, 2026  |  Read Article

A group of performers stand in rows outside on the street. They are blindfolded and bring a hand to their mouths. They are yelling.

Urgent Demands, Urgent Responses

Bay Area-based writer and dancer Marlena Gittleman shares her empowering experience at a workshop with Colectivo LASTESIS, the feminist Chilean performance art collective.

December 15, 2025  |  Read Article

A naked back and head in low light, the arms twisted around each other toward the head.

From Protection to Pleasure

Nikhita Winkler, a dancer, ritual artist, and coach based in Spain, reminds us of the need to unarmor our bodies and breathe deeply to find pleasure, presence, and power.

December 8, 2025  |  Read Article