A database for Black/Diasporic dance communities

Here's an important announcement and request from our colleague, A Nia Austin-Edwards:

There is an emerging outcry for more intensive connection, communication, and sharing of resources/networking amongst and within the Black and/or Diasporic dancing communities. The Coalition of Diasporan Scholars Moving (CDSM) has been in conversation concerning the development of a database that connects diasporan scholars moving and a dialogue also surfaced during the Dancing the African Diaspora Conference led by the Collegium of African Diaspora Dance.

As if that wasn't enough, Camille A. Brown took on an exciting endeavor at APAP 2014 to organize a conversation among Black female choreographers and those who support their work - The Gathering. Through conversation facilitated by Baraka Sele, the database concept emerged as a place where Black dance artists and their supporters can connect, share resources, and build their network. Camille, Indira Goodwine (Company Manager), and myself took on this task and began to gather information to lay a foundation for this database.

Recently at a CDSM steering committee meeting me, Lela Aisha Jones, Saroya Corbett and Norma Porter Anthony committed to moving the database concept forward.  From this point forward they are working to combine efforts as many entities seem interested in the database coming to fruition.  This is where you come in.  We need some feedback regarding the creation of a database as we want to be sure to fulfill a need that the community is invested in.  
Please complete and SHARE this survey:

http://bit.ly/BlackDanceDatabase

The more responses we get, the more responsive this database can be (couldn't resist a little tech humor! lol). If you are not on the CDSM listserv please contact cdsm@iabdassociation.org so they can make sure your receive information regarding the database.  Following the survey we'll be reaching out to a number of partner organizations to help build this database in the way that best serves us all. If you are interested in more detailed information or have additional suggestions about the database, LET ME KNOW.

Slowly but surely, we're moving this idea along. As with all things, we can't do it alone. We look forward to your responses!

Peace & Love, 

A. Nia Austin-Edwards (ANAE) | anae@PURPOSEProductions.org

PURPOSEProductions.org | @KwanzaaKid

The Gathering 2015 meets at Gibney 280

The Gathering, as described by founder Camille A. Brown, is "an open forum for intergenerational black female artists to support one another and to advocate for greater cultural equity and acknowledgement in the contemporary dance world."

Following Winter 2014's successful launch, Brown brought The Gathering back last night in a new format guided by Onye Ozuzu (chair, Dance Department, Columbia College Chicago) at Gibney Dance: Agnes Varis Performing Arts Center, 280 Broadway.

Camille A. Brown
(photo: Ra-Re Valverde)

Dancer-journalist A Nia Austin-Edwards
tweets The Gathering.
(c)2015, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Left-to right: Choreographers Cynthia Oliver,
Edisa Weeks and Paloma McGregor
(c)2015, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Guests mingle before the evening's exercises begin.
(c)2015, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

Facilitator Onye Ozuzu leads participants in improvisatory exercises,
sparked by our questions and stories, keeping bodies in near continual flow.
(c)2015, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

The Gathering 2015 was more of a creative game than a discussion of issues, more of an intimate dance of immediacy than a verbal forum. Bodies, questions, tears and testimony filled the theater in shifting, fluid configurations with space for the invisible.

"How are you doing the work?" "What are you excited about?" "How do you know when you're working too hard?" "What is your joy right now?" "Do you ever dance because you hurt?" "I deserve the best. I am the best. I have allies." "Asking for help, connecting with other people, helps you to move from the I to the We."

Participants encircle dance artist Nia Love (seated) and Paloma McGregor.
(c)2015, Eva Yaa Asantewaa)

Dancemaker Christal Brown (right)
answers a few questions.
(c)2015, Eva Yaa Asantewaa 

These first steps are power-packed beginnings from which any number of useful new steps may develop for individuals, organizations and potential collaborators within the Black female dance diaspora. Periodic mini-gatherings during the year--to address specific needs, goals and actions--would be a most welcome addition to this inspiring annual event.

Once again, congratulations to Brown, and to all who worked to produce The Gathering 2015.

As Ozuzu would say, "Rest and hold.... Continue."

To connect with The Gathering, please visit this site.

Camille A. Brown's The Gathering, a rousing success

The visionary Camille A. Brown
who created and convened The Gathering
(c)2014, Eva Yaa Asantewaa

With Baraka Sele (left), discussion moderator
for Brown's historic event
(photo by Cynthia Oliver)

Just do what you do.

-- Katherine Dunham

The Gathering--a special event conceived and convened by Camille A. Brown to offer safe space to discuss issues of concern to Black women choreographers--drew a huge, delighted response and support from all sectors of the field, including men, last evening. Brown--most recently hailed for her powerful evening-length work, Mr. TOL E. RAncE--realized her goal, not only drawing from her own peer group but an inter-generational, intercultural community including arts administrators, educators, journalists, presenters and supporters. Looking around the room, one could spot dance notables such as Dianne McIntyre, Sylvia Waters, Brenda Dixon Gottschild, Ronald K. Brown, Nathan Trice, Elka Samuels Smith, Cynthia Oliver, Edisa Weeks, Paloma McGregor, Matthew Rushing, Renee Robinson, Theresa Howard and many more from New York and beyond. Frankly, the vibes in that City Center studio were mind-blowing!

Moderator Baraka Sele set a respectful, positive and productive tone, creating an atmosphere for deep listening and the discovery of resources we can share. She urged us to focus not on problems but on facts, solutions and our individual and collective responsibilities.

We spoke of numerous issues--from the prevalence of racism throughout the arts system and the need to "de-center" whiteness to a call for adequate resources for physical and emotional wellness for the dancer. Participants cited interests in securing more time and affordable space to develop work, meaningful collaboration, community building and, of course, more funding for our projects. We called for better feedback on creative work, both artist-to-artist and via published critiques. Of course, I mentioned the need for more writers of color in dance journalism and sustainability for all writers on dance.

Time was short but, while we could not address in depth every item on our list, we felt confident that The Gathering will generate future activity and exciting collaborations.

Congratulations and deepest thanks to Camille A. Brown and Baraka Sele!

Write to company_manager@camilleabrown.org to get on the mailing list for The Gathering.