A Harlem Based Modern Dance Company
Move to Change 2020 Program
MODArts Dance Collective (MADC) presents Move to Change is to use dance as a form of social justice and arts activism through the lens of people of color (POC). The goal of Move to Change is to create cultural and gender affirming spaces for artists of color (African, Latina/o/x, Asian, Arab, Native American [ALAANA]), MENA, & SWANA to educate, empower, or illuminate issues that reflects their histories and cultures through their unique and rich movement aesthetics.
Monday, November 2, 2020
Echó la Culpa
Choreographed & Performed by Rebekah JoAnn Guerra
Music: Matthäuspassion composed by Johann Sebastian Bach, adapted by Marian Anderson, Joseph Fuchs, Robert Shaw
Rebekah “Betti” Guerra (@betti_guerra), is a movement artist from Riverside, CA where she has had the pleasure of working under dance artists such as Sidra Bell, Bobbi Jene Smith & Or Shraiber, Bodytraffic, Ate9 Dance Company, Micaela Taylor and Carlon Dance. Rebekah’s movement practices are rooted in movement research, and movement as protest & prayer. Her current work in-process is Ghetto: A Dance Film for US (@ghettodanzfilm), a film dedicated to her cousin of forty-three who went missing in Dayton, Ohio and was later found dead in June 2020; this film is set to premier late-December 2020.
Amuwó (initiation)
Choreographed by Adebajo Oluwafemi Israel
Performed by Rasheed Ridwan, Segun Ademeso, Anuoluwapo Shangokunle, & Adebajo Femi
Music: Abayomi Peter & Omotore Oriase
(creation of song used, all the artiste)
Vocals: Initiation chant - by Omotore Oriase
On the surface , Adebajo Oluwafemi Israel is a native of Ogun State (Ijebu North), He was born and brought up in Bariga, Lagos Nigeria, he is a lover of football as an hobby , a Young talented multidisciplinary artiste with over fourteen years experience , his major is using movement to explore, and he is a co-founder of the (F.O.D) gang theatre company.
F.O.DGANG is established in 2015 by Adebajo Oluwafemi Israel and some other creative young lads, they emerged from a popular community known for positive Art activities BARIGA, LAGOS. The group is one of the most preeminent, creative, multicultural talented company known for their prowess in dance theatre performances in conventional and unconventional spaces. They curate, installation works, theatre works , dance works, compose with different natural elements. Thus the group is also known for using art as a social tool for community development. The group is known in the realm of "ART", with their graduation project called 'UNTITLED SERIES', a protest dance piece that led to the repair of 20 major roads in the community of Bariga, Lagos.
Adebajo Oluwafemi is a creative entity and his role Is to study and make research before creation, he harmonizes body movements to the musical accompaniments, he skills is to translate body movement using his dance radical creativity to express himself. He also aim to empower the youth in the community, with the knowledge he has acquired through the years of learning more about my ART and that gave birth to an initiative “ARTIST CROSSROAD” a platform set to reassure the youths in the community with the tool ‘ART’, he is a festival director at the footprint of David at festival , he as participated in Local and international festivals.
Choreographer's IG: @adebajooluwafemi
FB: Adebajo Oluwafemi Israel
Group IG: @f.o.dgang
FB: F.o.dgang
Solo Work Created by this year's Me<We Workshop artists: Serenity Thompson, Charenelle Francois, & Zenzele Spencer
Tuesday, November 3, 2020
Locking Down Healing: A Pandemic of Decreasing in Mental Health
Choreographed by Caylia Wallace
Performed by Caylia R Wallace, Sedara Peacock, Lauren O'Brien, Imani Carter, & Michelle Macauley
Music: Sound Score by Caylia Wallace
Vocals: Andrea Davis & Lissandre Rios
Somerset, NJ native, Caylia Wallace studied dance at Montclair State University, receiving a BFA in 2018. In 2019, she received her Master of Arts in Public Media from Fordham University. Caylia has been working as a professional artist since the age of 17 with various choreographers from New Jersey, New York and Europe. She continues to perform as she advances in her career as an arts educator. Caylia Wallace established her visual and performing arts company, Throughtheyes in December of 2018 promoting youth arts education, social justice, and God's love through art. She's currently an elementary and middle school dance teacher at Thirteenth Avenue School in Newark, NJ.
Website: caywallace.com
IG: @throughtheyesorg @caywallace
Army of Self
Choreographed & Performed by Ching-I Chang in collaboration with Yebel Gallegos
Music: Edited and recorded by Jeremy Bigelow
CHING-I CHANG (Dance Artist) made in Taiwan. She is a lover of dance. She has worked with many NYC contemporary choreographers and artists such as Susan Marshall, Gesel Mason, Michel Kouakou, Maurice Fraga, Tiffany Mills, Bill Young, Kyle Abraham, Yung-Li Chen, Kiori Kawai (Visual Artist), Thai Artist Alliance (Visual Arts), HT Chen (Chinese Dance), Phantom Limbs and Loco 7 (Puppetry), the screen dance endeavors of Marta Renzi, Christy Harris, and Jason Kaufman. She was an original NYC cast member at Punchdrunk’s Off-Broadway hit production, Sleep No More NYC as well as the rehearsal director of the Sleep No More Shanghai from 2017 to 2019. She receives her MFA from University of Utah School of Dance in 2017. She is a Certified Laban/Bartenieff Movement Analyst, Yoga Teacher, Yoga Nidra Meditation Facilitator, and recipient of University of Utah Teaching Assistantship, Anne Riordan Scholarship, and Dee R. Winterton Award. She was a visiting professor at Virginia Commonwealth University 2017-2018. Ching-I is also the co-artistic director of Tipsy Point Projects with fellow Taiwanese artist Kuan-Yu Chen. And she loves bananas.
Website: https://www.chingichangbigelow.com
Wednesday, November 4, 2020
YOUR HOME
Choreographed & Performed by Ayako Takahashi
Music: One more time, One more chance by Masayoshi Yamazaki, Symphony No.5 by Gustav Mahler, and 500 miles originally by Hedy West
Vocals: Interviews from Syrian Refugee Children in Lebanon
Ayako Takahashi is originally from Kanagawa, Japan. After dancing at Urbanity Dance(Boston), and Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Company (Gaʼaton, Israel) she relocated herself to New York and established Ayalis In Motion in 2018. She presented many works internationally; Boston Contemporary Dance Festival (USA), Reykjavik Dance Festival (Iceland), Festival Chorégraphique International de Blois(France), Kibbutz Contemporary Dance Nitzotzot (Israel) listed a few. Currently working/dancing with Nadine Boomer Dance Company (Israel/NY), Mari Natsuki Terroir (Japan), and AZOTH Dance Theatre (France) along with her company Ayalis In Motion. She is holding MA in Dance/Movement Therapy from Lesley University, and working as R-DMT(Registered Dance/Movement Therapist) and LMHC (Licensed Mental Health Counselor), and happy to contribute her work to Doctors without Borders(MSF). Website: http://www.ayalisinmotion.org/
IG & FB: @ayalisinmotion
Sueños
Artistic Direction: Jose Leonardo Amaya
Co Direction: Analida Galindo
Choreography: Jose Leonardo Amaya, Analida Galindo in collaboration with the dancers
Dancers: Ángel Adames, Cristian Mendez, Cristine Vallarino, Daniel Petit, Elías Estrada,
Ely Moreno, Jaime Ruíz, Jimaleydi Edwards, Joseph Petit, Mariam Peters, Samira Miller
Video Direction: Raphael Salazar
Photography Direction: Aaron Bromley and Raphael Salazar
Camara: Aaron Bromley, César Málaga and Raphael Salazar
Editor: Andrés Niño
Poem: Home by Warsan Shire
Voice over: Analida Galindo
Music: Frédéric Chopin, Mocha Music, Remember The Future, Erik Satie
Production: Fudación Espacio Creativo (FEC)
Funding: UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees
Special thanks to: Johann Wolfschoon, Nathalie Tesone, Dekel Holdings, Enlaces support team and to the families of our students.
Sueños (Dreams) is a video dance piece that was conceived during global confinement, raising our own voice for the thousands of people who are unjustly dispossessed of their homes. It is a manifesto to the vindication of the memory, identity and yearnings of all those people, who have
had to leave their homes behind. The piece seeks to contribute and remember through movement all those forgotten people, that many have wanted to erase. Our dance is our response, for the pain, for the suffering and for the dreams of all those walkers who flee from their homes to
continue living in a place that does not yet belong to them.
ENLACES, a program of Fundación Espacio Creativo (FEC) is a program aimed at transforming the lives of children and youth in vulnerable situations through the practice of contemporary dance, the strengthening of their academic development and psychosocial and family support,
developing skills that allow them to improve their quality of life, grow as agents of change and responsible citizens.
*****Please note that the n-word is shown during the translation of the piece.*****
Thursday, November 5, 2020
WHWB
Choreographed & Performed by Queala Clancy
Music: Raize by Jason Gamble
Poetry & Vocals: Jeffery Martin
Queala Clancy serves as an educator, performer, choreographer, assistant, and artistic director of The Dance Narrative Project. Currently, she is a lecturer at California State University, Long Beach. As a performer, Queala was a featured dancer in Cirque Du Soleil’s – Zumanity, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Don Arden’s Jubilee, JazzAntiqua Dance & Music Ensemble, and Lula Washington Dance Theatre with multinational travels to Poland, Brazil, China, Russia, and Israel. Queala brings a wealth of teaching experience having taught for ACDA, DCDC, Ohio Dance Festival, LWDT, IABD, and AMDA to name a few.
IG: @ms_queala
FB: @msqueala
Jeffery Martin is author of twelve books and a contributor to seven anthologies. His most recent release (April 2020) was a book of poetry dedicated to Noam Chomsky whom he’d had the opportunity to interview in late 2019. He believes that writing gave him a constructive outlet and eventually gave him the confidence to not only write down his thoughts, but also to share them. He is currently working on his first novel and a documentary on the affect of Black music on American culture from 1619 to the present.
IG: @jeffreythapoet
Ãgraha (Sanskrit for "unyielding") by Sona Lisa Dance Company
Choreographed by Jose Agudo
Performed by: Sonia Chandaria Tillu
Music: Bernhard Schimpelsberger
Commissioned by Dance Hub Birmingham
Artistic Director of UK based Sona Lisa Dance Company, Sonia Chandaria Tillu is trained in Indian classical Kathak dance. She is also influenced by her exposure to drama, ballet, yoga, kalaripayattu and ballroom dancing.
Her present work includes performing classical and contemporary Kathak, choreographing innovative Kathak inspired work, and freelancing with various dance companies including that of her Guru Sujata Banerjee with whom she has toured across the UK, India, Spain and US.
Sonia was Artist in Residence at the artsdepot (London) in 2019 and is a Trustee for Nottingham based UK Young Artists.
Website: https://www.sonalisa.co.uk/about
FB: @sonalisadance
IG/Twitter: @sonia_sonalisa
Friday, November 6, 2020
Genog Geëet!?. (Eaten Enough)
Choreographed & Performed by Quinton Sean Manning
Music by: 'Smile' and 'Somewhere Over The Rainbow' by Mihlali Ndoni
Vocals by: 'Koeksister Resep' by Merinda Manning
Quinton Sean Manning is a writer and performing artist with a passion for queering through play. Quinton enjoys collaborating across disciplines, as Quinton believes we all have something to learn, and something to teach. Quinton creates art to incite healing, through works that offer deep reflection and violent protest. Quinton believes art is a giving act.
Cody Frazer van Wyk is an exciting, young filmmaker who has good knowledge in the mechanics of camera work and creating images and videos that are pleasing to the eye. He has a background in documentary work through vlog style videos and tries to achieve an authentic feel in the work he creates.
IG - @quintonseanmanning
IG - @cody_vanwyk
Email - quintonmanning1@gmail.com
Email - codyvw.01@gmail.com
BROTHERS & SONS
Director: Gierre J Godley
Visual Director: Torian Uwgorji
Performed by: Ethan Gywnn, LaTrea Derome, Gierre J Godley, Xavier Townsend, & Maleek Washington
Music by: Original Score by Antonio Brown
PoetRy by: JaKeith the Poet
PROJECT 44 is a Queens, NY based all male dancer group with mission of erasing preconceived notions about the male performer. Through programming & outreach, the group also strives to improve the imprint left in the world. As the vehicle for Director Gierre J Godley’s choreographic voice, PROJECT 44 has performed as numerous venues in NYC, around the USA, and abroad.
IG: @project44dance
Saturday, November 7, 2020
Ardhanareeshwara: Gender Fluidity Embodied
Choreographed & Performed by Anuradha Naimpally and Purna Bajekal
Music: Ardhanareeshwara by Lavanya Ananth
Poetry by: 8th Century Poet Adi Shankaracharya
Anuradha Naimpally, is founder and director of Austin Dance India. For over 35 years she has been performing and teaching; the recipient of numerous international accolades. She is a 2018 inductee into the Austin Arts Hall of Fame. Her daughter, Purna Bajekal, has been dancing since the age of 6 and continues to perform and co-direct with her mom. Their work aims to share stories and bring awareness to social issues such as climate change, gender equality, racial injustice, and human migration through Bharata Natyam movement language.
Website: www.austindanceindia.com
IG: @anudances
FB/Youtube: Austin Dance India
Pa´lante
Choreographed by Daniel Martínez & Amy Morrow
Performed by: Daniel Martínez
Music: Sitting on the dock of the bay - Ottis Redding, Pa´lante - Hurray for the Riff Raff
Daniel Martínez is a dancer with a degree in Contemporary Dance at the Escuela Superior de Música y Danza de Monterrey (México). Since 2018, he has attended national and international courses and residencies. At the age of 21, he joined as a dancer with The Theorists that currently resides in Austin, Texas under the direction of Amy Morrow; and has had the opportunity to perform at international venues and festivals. A fellow of some well recognized programs and scholarships to strengthen the artistic and cultural training of students and professionals in the arts.
FB: Daniel Martínez
IG: @dannmr/@thetheorists
Website: www.thetheorists.org/
Ignorance Bliss
Choreographed by Leah Tubbs
Performed by: Veronica Chesseboro, Shoshana Mozlin, Sharayah Spruill, Courtney Stewart, Leah Tubbs, Imani Vieira, & Nayanika Vyas
Music: I Have A Dream by Mari Bone, Chiwoniso, & Banda Dida, Seteng Sediba by The Soweto Gospel Choir, & Sweet In The Morning by Bobby McFerrin featuring Voicestra
Poetry: In The Spirit Of Martin (excerpt) by Nikki Giovanni & I Too by Langston Hughes
Sermon: Lessons of Caution and Promise from South Africa and Greensboro for Durham by Rev. Peter Storey
Leah Tubbs was reared by Craig & Harriette Smiley in Birmingham, AL, the birthplace of the Civil Rights Movement. Her technical and artistic foundation was honed as a Dance major at Alabama School of Fine Arts (ASFA) and the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa. She transitioned from a student into a professional artist working with various dance companies in Alabama, Ohio, California, Texas, & New York.
MODArts Dance Collective (MADC) was born on July 23, 2011 by Leah & Shaun Tubbs to hold space for people of color (POC) through its choreographic work, two festivals, solo concert, and free residency & workshop. MADC provides safe, therapeutic spaces for POCs to heal, commune, and be their unapologetic selves as people and artists while making dance accessible for communities of color to celebrate and honor their beautiful histories & cultures.
Website: www.modartsdance.com
FB: MODArts Dance Collective
IG/Twitter: @ModArts_Dance
Gratitude & Support
MADC would like to thank our donors & Patreon supporters: Anonymous (3), Sharon Banks, Paul Brill, William-Michael Cooper, Zoe Correa, Megan Curet, Lindi Duesenberg, Bri Jenkins, Rachel Kuczynski, Karen & Brian Lowy, Susan Mende, Leila Mire, Jessica Mosher, Sophie Parens, Chatiera Ray, Nathaniel Rutledge, Harriette Smiley, Laronica Southerland, Charis Travlos, & Laura Tubbs.
MADC is a sponsored project through Fractured Atlas, a non-profit arts service organization. Help us to continue to be an agent of social change. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation, become a Patreon patron, purchase an item from MADC's Etsy shop, or discover other ways to support the company.