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‘Black Dance Stories’ highlight Black creatives in the dance world

Nora Chipaumire.
Nora Chipaumire.

Black Dance Stories announces its August 2020 lineup, featuring dancers and choreographers who use their work to raise societal issues, strengthen community through their programming and use history as a source of inspiration. This month, the story sharing and discussion series brings together yonTande and Meredith Rainey (August 6); Sydnie Mosley and Raja Feather Kelly (August 13); Zane Booker and Oluwadamilare “Dare” Ayorinde (August 20); and Leslie Parker and Wanjiru Kamuyu (August 27) in discussion. 

Black Dance Stories will also present the world premiere video of nora chipaumire’s new work, [another] township manifesto (August 27). The piece was created specifically for the digital platform in response to our current world environment where Black artists are finding innovative ways to continue to address the politics of Black bodies and connect to their audience. The series streams live via Zoom every Thursday in August at 6pm.

The Black Dance Stories team consists of Black creatives in the arts, including Charmaine Warren, Kimani Fowlin, Nicholas Hall, Cynthia Tate and Gabe Dekoladenu. The series is consistent with the tradition of Black artists finding a way for their voices to be heard during turbulent times. When civil, moral and social freedoms are challenged and at times stifled, Black artists find ways to use their talents as activism. Black Dance Stories upholds, highlights and celebrates Black creatives.

The series launched in June 2020. Previous artists include Ayodele Casel, Stefanie Batten Bland, Jamar Roberts, Tiffany Rea-Fisher, Cynthia Oliver, Marjani Forté-Saunders, Lorenzo “Rennie” Harris, J. Bouey, Kyle Marshall and Okwui Okpokwasili. Each session will be archived on the Black Dance Stories YouTube page.

Black Dance Stories streams live on Zoom, every Thursday in August at 6 pm. For more information, visit @BlackDanceStories or email blackdancestories@gmail.com. Sign up for updates here.

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