Black Ballerinas in Picture Books: Rupturing the Color Line in American Children’s Literature

As a Black girlhood studies scholar, I pay close attention to picture books that portray Black girls. More specifically, I intersect dance studies and children’s literary studies in order to explore the representation of Black ballerinas in autobiographical and biographical children’s picture books.

An Old Friend in a New Light: Reflections on Collaboration in Bharatanatyam

With roots in temple ritual and salons passed from generation to generation through the hereditary dance and music community of Tamil Nadu, in post-colonial India, the practice began to attract students and performers from various backgrounds around the world as a performing art.

Transcending Racism in the Dance World

I love teaching Hip Hop, but I resent the assumption that it’s the only dance form I can teach because I’m Black.

Dancing Happens in Strip Malls Too

My first memories of learning dance were at the Strip Mall Dance Studio near my house in Lawrence, Kansas. The strip mall was creatively named “The Malls Shopping Center.” I don’t remember what the studio itself was called but I know exactly where it was—tucked in the corner of a row of single-story beige buildings that also housed Pet World (my favorite place on earth as a 4-year-old), an Ace Hardware (my second favorite place), and a Godfather’s Pizza.

The Manifesto of the Collective

After months of colliding with each other, our very own Niara Hardister took the initiative to assemble the most inclusive, supportive, and talented group of folks I know.

SPEAK: Invaluable Lessons

Photo by Keith Sutter My first week as Artistic Director of Sacramento Ballet, I learned we had lost our warehouse space and would need to deeply consolidate our sets and […]

Recent CA$H Dance Awardees

Spring 2024: Artists Be Movement Collective Becca Dean Belinda He & Karla Quintero Chafin Seymour Diana Lara Jacob Dominguez Jess Bozzo Labonee Mohanta Laksha Dantran Shruti Abhishek Organizations Bay Area […]

Find Time and Space with Residency Programs

Inspiration pours from your graceful fingertips and toes. If only you had time and space to explore the depths of your imagination freely, validating what you already know to be […]

Discounts

*We are noticing schedule and price shifts as our communities start to re-open, please allow grace as we update our listings. Share your online offerings (classes, panels, etc). Choose “Community” when […]

10 in 10 with Sawako Gannon

You are reading excerpts from Andréa Spearman’s recorded conversation with Sawako Gannon 10 in 10 theme music: Bright, upbeat pop music that you may hear in a teen-centered drama series. […]