Articles from the ‘Viewpoints’ collection

Dancers of different ages spread out on stage facing different directions and wearing different colored dresses.

Expanding the Circle of Dancers

Risa Jaroslow, a choreographer based in the Bay Area, discusses how her upcoming piece "Talking Circle" imagines a turning point in the life of a small community, as well as how her interest evolved to include nontrained performers in her choreography.

December 27, 2022  |  Read Article

A clown mask with a headband reading "fraud nation" set among dried grasses.

Pretendians in Dance

Snowflake Arizmendi-Calvert, a performance artist based in the Bay Area, discusses the problem of pretendians (people pretending to be Indians) in dance, and how folks can learn to advocate for Indigenous artists.

December 19, 2022  |  Read Article

Yashoda wears a red sari with gold jewelry. One arm is extended in front of her with her thumb lifted. The other arm is near her chest bent at the embow with two fingers extended.

Reclaiming An Invisible Woman’s Dance

Dr. Yashoda Thakore, a Kuchipudi dancer and scholar in India, researches the Kalavantulu, the women temple dancers from Telugu-speaking areas. She describes their historical significance and why she is trying to erase the stigma around them through education.

December 12, 2022  |  Read Article

Two women stand in front of a building facade trying flamenco postures

Encounters with Flamenco in Spain

Shebana Coelho, a writer and performer currently studying flamenco in Spain, reflects with her colleagues and classmates on what it means to encounter flamenco as an art form and way of life.

November 28, 2022  |  Read Article