Artistry In Rhythm Dance Conference Streaming Virtually March 3-27
Kendall Campus’ Jubilation Dance Ensemble, in collaboration with Live Arts Miami, is hosting the 2021 Artistry in Rhythm Dance Conference via Zoom March 3-27.
The 10th annual conference will center on the theme of healing and restoration.
It kicked off March 3 with a conversation with Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, the founding director of the Urban Bush Women dance collective. She discussed the legacy of the Urban Bush Women, COVID-19, practices of sustainability and racial disparities.
“This conference is about walking away with a sense of ownership and responsibility for not just ourselves but also the community,” said Michelle Grant-Murray, founder of the A.I.R. Dance Conference. “It’s about valuing communication, coming together and understanding how essential love is.”
Every year, A.I.R. honors different artists. This year’s honoree is the Urban Bush Women dance collective, which has fought for social justice and the empowerment of Black and Indigenous people through the practice of expressive movement and dance.
The group led the workshop Entering, Building, and Exiting Community on March 5 and 6. Attendees explored UBW values and learned a variety of community-building exercises to implement into their personal and creative practice.
On March 12, UBW will lead 11 student dancers in an online three-week intensive creation process called Artist Journal that will culminate in a performance. On March 27, the group will teach A Virtual Think Tank as they incorporate readings of literature and music into the art of dancing.
Other workshops at the conference include The Art of Acceptance led by Shanna Woods on March 15. It will integrate ritual dance movements, meditation and journal work to encourage the daily practice of self-love through the use of affirmations and acceptance of our bodies.
The A.I.R. Dance Conference will also offer a virtual master class with the Deeply Rooted Dance Theater on March 18, offering attendees training and artistic development through a rigorous dance curriculum.
“We are thrilled to be working hand in hand with Professor Michelle Grant-Murray to create this remarkable opportunity for students to be immersed in month-long virtual dance trainings, conversations and performances that illuminate the power of the arts to catalyze change,” said Live Arts Miami Executive Director Kathryn Garcia. “We hope AIR Dance Conference 2021 provides students with points of connection, inspiration and knowledge to ignite their creative spirits amidst pandemic times.”
A.I.R Dance Conference presentations, conversations, workshops and classes are free. To RSVP click here.
