In Conversation: Afrofuturism with Raissa Simpson

Raissa Simpson is a socially conscious artist that holds community building at the core of her repertoire. Witnesses of her work have seen in-depth studies of topics ranging from Judgment […]

In Practice: Colleague-Criticism

In 2009, I published an essay in this publication (In Dance) about a work by choreographer Randee Paufve, a dear friend of mine. I didn’t know it at the time, […]

In Practice: Smith/Wymore Disappearing Acts’ Six Degrees of Freedom

First of all, full disclosure: the Wymore of Smith/Wymore Disappearing Acts is kind of my boss—Lisa Wymore, Chair of the Department of Theater, Dance, & Performance Studies at UC Berkeley, […]

Definitions and Connections: A Conversation with Johnnie Cruise Mercer

Editor’s Note: Recently, the National Center for Choreography in Akron, Ohio started a low-residency dance writing laboratory. The lab currently houses a cohort of five writers from around the country, […]

SPEAK: Differences

The Way You Look (At Me) Tonight is an international co-production by SF choreographer Jess Curtis and Scottish choreographer Claire Cunningham in collaboration with UC Berkeley philosopher Alva Noë, dramaturge Luke […]

Clog On: Ian Enriquez Continues the Barbary Coast Cloggers Legacy with the Mussel Rock Cloggers

Spend time exploring the Bay Area’s myriad traditional and folk dance communities and you will soon discover that the concept of “traditional dance” is an amorphous concept that changes based on […]

SPEAK

The pathway to adulthood is a funny thing, it’s different for everyone. In 2007, at age 42, I spontaneously decided to open a performance space (with co-founder and technical director […]

SPEAK: A Slim Corner of the World

Being asked to reflect on 20 years of dance making is daunting. So I have decided to write in the second person. Adrienne Rich, one of my favorite poets and […]

Ten Tips On How to Engage with Parents in Parent-Child Classes

I’ve been teaching dance for a while. My resumé says something like confidently creates developmentally-appropriate dance curricula for ages 0-adult. But I’ve got to say that my confidence was challenged when I started leading […]

The Next Chapter of Live Performance at SFMOMA: A Conversation with Megan Brian and Frank Smigiel

An open space bathed in bright white. White walls and window shades; an industrial white light grid. An expansive, double height room where the ceiling feels far away. Smooth maple […]