West walks in a traditional red and black garb carrying a shell above his head. He walks on dirt with a forest in the background. Another dancer is in the background.

From the Village to the World and Back

Nikhita Winkler profiles Vetunjona "West" Uarije, a Namibian dancer and cultural practitioner who shares how dance connects him to his roots to heal a painful past and reintegrate a strong cultural identity.

January 2, 2023  |  Read Article

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