The third Saturday in September is National Dance Day, thanks to Nigel Lythgoe, co-creator of “So You Think You Can Dance” and Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. Learn this year’s special routines, including a take on Nina Simone’s “Feelin Good,” or check out past year’s videos for inspiration
Great news from Somerville
The hard work of Gregory Jenkins of the Somerville Arts Council and the artists who make their home and work in the city has paid off: $500,000 in new funding in the current city budget. Congratulations to all who worked so hard to make this possible. BDA will post information about grants and other allocations as that information becomes available.
Congratulations to Ellice Patterson of Abilities Dance and Ballet Rox for being named one of ten outstanding young leaders who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the civic and business environment and the quality of life in Greater Boston by City Awake.
Durational work has special resonance during a pandemic. Join MetLiveArts for a site-specific iteration of Lee Mingwei’s durational performance Our Labyrinth, choreographed by Bill T. Jones. Streamed over three weeks, each performance features a single dancer who uses a stylized broom to sweep a mound of rice along a labyrinthine path of their choosing. Performing this spiritual task, the dancer may encounter obstacles along the way but continues to navigate silently and mindfully. Videos can be watched for free on YouTube on Sept. 16, 23, and 30.
Shake Yourself Awake
Earthdance’s Group Shake begins September 17, 8:00 a.m. with facilitation by Jared Williams for the first session, and will continue, with changing facilitators, every Thursday for seven sessions.
Harvard cyber cypher brings members of the Harvard community and others together in hip hop joy led by Aysha Upchurch and DJ Stylus the Vibe Conductor. It all happens on Zoom on September 18 at 8 p.m. and while open to the broader community, you must register.
Forty Steps Dance is excited to perform outdoors at Baileys Hill in Nahant (with the help of the Boston Dance Alliance portable floor!) for two performances,at 2 and 5 p.m. on Saturday, September 19 (raindate Sunday September 20).
Wear your mask and bring a blanket or chair, and enjoy new work and past audience favorites. Each performance is limited to 50, so you must reserve here. (BDA members get a discount!)
Get your Sunday morning off to a scintillating start as SambaViva leads a Samba and Afro-Brazilian dance class on Zoom Sunday Sept 20 at 10 a.m. Live drumming by Batucala will get your hips swinging. Bikinis optional. Free from our friends at Global Arts Live but you must register.
