Moving with Confidence!

Performances

Photos of BDA Dancemaker Residents at the top and Dance Lab Awardees at the bottom of a radiant orange graphic.

Congratulations to Boston Dancemakers Residents Laila J. Franklin and Simon Montalvo. We also extend congratulations to this year’s BCA Dance LAB awardees Andrea Muniz, Cassie Wang and Gina Marte.

 

Congratulations!
to beheard.world and OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center recipients of The New Commonwealth Fund FY ’23 Pillar Investment grants!
These organizations are working across one or more of the fund’s 5 pillar areas to advance racial equity in the Commonwealth.
Congratulations!
To recipients of Mass Cultural Council Festival and Projects grant program with a $2500 grant to each.
Entertainment Community Fund logo; illsutartion of a blue and a purple spotlight crossing beams.
The Entertainment Community Fund is hosting a Navigating The Freelance Economy – Best Practices for Freelancers in the Arts webinar. Learn from a panel of speakers from the performing arts and legal communities who will address some of the challenges freelancers face in managing their careers, including pros and cons of freelancing, pricing strategies and determining your rates. Thursday, September 28, 4:00–5:30 PM on Zoom.
Photo of two dancers performing traditional lion dance in lion costumes on stage.
Join an exciting evening of performances, powerful speeches, storytelling and more at the 2023 Governor’s Awards in the Humanities! Presented in partnership with Governor Healey, Mass Humanities will recognize Margaret Burnham, Vanessa Calderón-Rosado, Kumble Subbaswamy and Elizabeth Bacon for their commitments to education, civil and human rights, community development and philanthropy. Catch the traditional Lion Dance performance by members of Refugees & Immigrants Cultural Empowerment Massachusetts (RICEMA) and close the evening with a special performance by dancers from The Flavor Continues, a 2022 Expand Massachusetts Stories grantee. Thursday, September 28, 6:30 PM at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum.
Step Afrika! performers in matching shirts in a "v" formation holding hands and singing.
Catch Step Afrika! the first professional company dedicated to stepping, a polyrhythmic, percussive dance form developed in African-American fraternities and sororities. Thursday, September 28, 8 PM at the Frederick C. Tillis Performance Hall, 151 Presidents Drive, Amherst.
Dreaming poster with photo of two people with white headphones on tilting their heads towards eachother facing away from the camera.
Centering themes of rest and restoration, Holly Bass and jaamil olawale kosoko co-facilitate the DREAMING LAB at the Field Center in Vermont. This hybrid workshop is perfect for professionals and practitioners interested in accessing more restorative and sustainable approaches towards art making. Thursday, September 28-Monday, October 2.
Event poster with photo of femme artist looking straight forward and framing face with delicate hands.
Immerse yourself in the world of Afrofuturism, a cultural movement that combines elements of African diaspora, science fiction, technology, and imagination. The event will explore Afrofuturism through various art forms, including visual art, dance, music and fashion. Friday September 29, 8-10 PM, at the Multicultural Arts Center, 41 Second Street, Cambridge.
Festival poster with illustration of a person's head over a layout of the city's skyline.
Experience the Kinetic Communities Event at the Cambridge Science Festival. Community groups from in and around Cambridge will team up to form a giant human kinetic chain reaction, stretching between City Hall and the Charles River – you’ll find everything from circus, dance, gymnastics groups, after-school clubs and sports teams to art classes, knitting circles, martial arts teams, food delivery services, charitable organizations and more. Saturday September 30, all day in Cambridge.
Continuum poster for momentum series with event information and photo of company dancers huddled together on many levels.
Join Continuum Dance Project at Auntie Kay & Uncle Frank Chin Park on The Greenway for their new piece Becoming Water as they express the story and their connection to this location through movement and dance. Saturday, September 30, 11 AM & 3 PM. Rain Date: Sunday, October 1.
Romeo and Juliet poster with main characters' photo over illustration of a graffiti heart.
North Atlantic Ballet presents a new version of “Romeo & Juliet,” choreographed by Lucy Warren-Whitman and set to the familiar score by Sergei Prokofiev, but with a twist. At intermission, the audience will vote collectively on how the story will end: tragically, as in the original play, or filled with hope for the lovers. Saturday, September 30, 12 & 7 PM, and Sunday, October 1, 12 PM at the Cabot Theater, Beverly, MA. Meet & Greet Romeo and Juliet following the 12 PM performances.
Two dancers at a basketball court in a deep lunge joining fists.
The 2023-2024 Motion State season launch encompasses film premieres, Q&A’s, community conversations and more! Films include artists from the USA and abroad. Saturday, September 30, 1:00-3:30 PM at the Providence Public Library, 150 Empire Street Providence, RI.
Harvard Powwow poster with event name over red banner.
Come share in fun, dancing, food, and more at the 25th Harvard Powwow: Protect Indigenous Futures! RSVP appreciated. Saturday, September 30, 1:00-5:30 PM at 145 N Harvard St, Allston.
Black and white still of La Singla, showcasing female presenting character frowning.
Watch La Singla directed by Paloma Zapata. La Singla was born deaf and learned to dance flamenco without listening to music. At age 17, she revolutionized flamenco, but before turning 30 years old, she disappeared from the stage. Fifty years later, the time has come to tell her story. Documentary will be screened as part of the CineFest Latino on Saturday, September 30, 5 PM at the Emerson Paramount Theatre.
Ignite poster with illustration of a cat on a motorbike pulling a grill.
It’s time to fire things up with the 11th annual Ignite festival! Ignite showcases the depth and breadth of local talent through a global lens. bringing you an evening of international eats, fire throwers, roving entertainment, and a raucous celebration of global culture! Performances include MetaMovements, Gund Kwok Asian Women’s Dance Troupe, Sinha Capoeira Performance Group and  more! Saturday, September 30, 6-10 PM at 90 Union Square, Somerville. Rain date: Sunday, October 1.
NoXBoundaries poster for Eoghan Dillon's master class with his headshot and event basic info.
Join contemporary dancer Eoghan Dillon for a Master Class! Ages 12 and over are welcome. Sunday, October 1, 10:00-11:30 AM at The Gold School, 1154 North Montello St., Brockton.
Midday poster with event description and photo of Marissa Molinar.
Join the first workshop of MIDDAY’s BIPOC Professional Development Workshop Series! Kick off this series with Intro to Project Management. Facilitated by MIDDAY Director Marissa Molinar, participants will be led through practices that encourage administrative spaciousness, responsive leadership, and flexibility allowing for iteration. The workshop will be held on Sunday, October 1, 4:30-5:30 PM at the Cultural Equity Incubator, 15 Channel Center St, Boston. Light refreshments will be served. Drop-ins are welcome; pre-registration appreciated.
Frightinsville poster with illustration of haunted house and forest with halloween creatures.
Volunteer and make Frightinsville possible. Frightsville organizers are looking for dancers and other volunteers to help the fundraiser happen. Proceeds go toward critical repairs made to the historic property of Estate of Mind, so it can continue to support the artists in residence.
Dancers in black costumes on stage: most of them clumped together standing facing away from the camera with arms up, one of them on the floor looking up at them and another walks away from the group.
The USArtists International® (USAI) application is due this Friday, September 29. Updated guidelines are available. USArtists International® supports in-person performances by U.S. artists at engagements at international festivals and global presenting arts marketplaces outside of the United States. Performing abroad can lead to artistic growth and can expand an artist’s career by providing connections with presenters, curators, and fellow artists. Grants of up to $15,000 toward eligible expenses are available across all performing arts practices and disciplines.
Graphic with abstract lines and shapes with "National Leaders of Color Fellowship Program" written on top.
The National Leaders of Color Fellowship (LoCF) application opened on September 18. The LoCF is a transformative leadership development experience curated by WESTAF in order to establish multicultural leadership in the creative and cultural sector. By partnering with the other United States Regional Arts Organizations (USRAOs) like NEFA, the program has expanded nationwide and its mission has become a national endeavor. The deadline to apply is Monday, October 16.
Still from Michael Jackson's thriller music video in which he dances with zombies.
Michelle Marshall is seeking dancers for a “Thriller” Flash Mob for a 50th Halloween Birthday Party on October 28. Role requires 10 performers to dress in Thriller costumes, corral the guests and perform the thriller dance – roughly a 10 minutes performance – in Winchester. Please contact Michelle to learn more by calling 781-267-5117.

As you see from the news at the top of this week’s newsletter, there is so much to celebrate about Boston area and New England dance!

As I step down from the leadership of Boston Dance Alliance this week, I thank everyone who has been a part of building this community over the years and especially those of you who are adding vitality to its present and paving the way for a vibrant future.

BDA’s Board of Directors will be publicizing transition plans soon, and I can assure you that you will see me at many dance and cultural community events in the months and years to come.

Thank you for everything.

__________
Debra Cash, Executive Director