Tag: black lives matter

Eight Powerful Dance Works to Come Out of the Black Lives Matter Movement

Art can be a critical part of social justice activism. And the recent Black Lives Matter protests have given rise to all kinds of dance art, with Black dancers and choreographers using their bodies to speak important truths. Below are eight must-watch dance works by Black artists that address this moment of uprising. “This Is […]

Beyond Pink Satin: Dancewear Companies Reckon with Implicit Bias

Implicit bias and racial stereotyping are rampant in the dance world . That’s a fact dancers of color have always known. But the anti-racism protests sparked by the murder of George Floyd—protests whose effects have reverberated through a myriad of industries—are bringing new attention to the problem. Though dance has been heavily influenced by Black […]

Where to Take Virtual Dance Class to Benefit Anti-Racist Organizations

Many dance students are seeking ways to take action in the ongoing fight against racism and police brutality. And many amazing dancers and dance organizations are donating revenue from virtual classes to important social-justice organizations working against systemic racism. To help dancer-activists get active this week, we gathered information on some of the many dance-class […]

Houston Ballet's Harper Watters: Thoughts on My First Uprising

I recently spoke to the dancers and management of Houston Ballet, where I dance, as part of ongoing conversations covering racial injustice. I was going to start by asking them how they were doing. But I quickly realized what kind of reaction I’d get. It’s the one you have the morning after a six-hour rehearsal […]

Essential Viewing: “WE. DANCE.”, a Powerful Video by Ailey’s Dancers

“When our hearts break, WE Dance.” That’s the caption for this video, created by and featuring dancers from Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater. Made in the midst of widespread protests over the death of George Floyd and so many other innocent Black people, it features poetic text written and performed by company member Hope Boykin, […]

How to Support the Black Dance Community, Beyond Social Media

The dance community’s response to the death of George Floyd was immediate and sweeping on social media. Dance artists, including Desmond Richardson and Martha Nichols, used their social platforms to make meaningful statements about racial inequality. Theresa Ruth Howard‘s leadership spurred ballet companies including Dance Theatre of Harlem, American Ballet Theatre, and New York City […]