CELEBRATE Dancing While Black’s 5th Anniversary!

In 2012, Paloma McGregor launched Dancing While Black, an artist-led initiative that supports the diverse work of Black dance artists by cultivating platforms for process, performance, dialogue and documentation. DWB brings the voices of black dance artists from the periphery to the center, providing opportunities to self-determine the languages and lenses that define their work.

Since 2012, Dancing While Black has produced the work of more than a dozen Black dance makers, supported 22 Fellowship artists in the developing their practice and networks, and gathered scholars, writers and artists to participate in diverse platforms that center their voices and build community.

This Spring we return full-circle to BAAD! Bronx Academy of Arts and Dance, where Dancing While Black held its first gathering. After five years of continuous partnership, it is only right that its Anniversary Celebration take place in this home space. We are excited to come together to honor the past, present and future of this work.

JOIN US for a Long Table, film screening, performances by Bronx youth, special guest artists, current DWB Fellows – Alethea Pace, J. Bouey, Jasmine Hearn, Kayla Hamilton, NIC Kay, Shelby Felton– AND a dance party!

THURSDAY MAY 3rd: Dance Futures

A celebration of the future of Dancing While Black with Bronx youth and families, centering the neighborhood which has been an important home to DWB the past five years. Performance, 7pm

FRIDAY MAY 4th: Living Our Legacies

Showcasing our current DWB Fellows and tap master Jason Samuel Smith (curated by Rashida Bumbray). Performance, 8pm

SATURDAY MAY 5th: Looking Back, Visioning Forward

Bringing together the full DWB history:
4 pm – Long Table discussion curated by Eva Yaa Asantewaa/EYA Projects
6:30 pm – Screening of Gabri Christa’s film series, Another Building
8 pm – DWB Fellows & Donna Clark dancing Eleo Pomare’s classic Narcissus Rising (curated by Marya Wethers)
10pm – PARTY

“The Dancing While Black platform radically centers, uplifts, and creates space for black artists to dive boldly into our creative process with support, endless love, and in community.” -Brittany Williams, ’16-’17 DWB Fellow

“Dancing While Black invites myself and my fellow brothers and sistars to be together in our vastness without apology!” – Jaimé Dzandu, ’16-’17 DWB Fellow