Date and Time for this Past Event
- Thu, Feb 1, 2024 - Thu, Feb 29, 2024
Location
Maryland Youth Ballet
926 Ellsworth Dr
Details
As an organization, MYB is determined to work towards a universal platform of diversity and inclusion throughout the student body, faculty, administration, and Board; ensuring that all dancers feel seen and supported regardless of the color of their skin, gender, orientation, or background. It is in this spirit that each February, we present our MYB Black History Month Dance Celebration.
Join us this February for a month of virtual and in-person events.
Friday Night Dance Series
Join MYB for a FREE class every Friday in February from 7:30-9 pm. Ages 10+
FEB 2 – Umfundalai with Miriah Auth: Contemporary African dance technique that includes movement vocabulary from dance traditions throughout the Diaspora presented in a way which makes it accessible for anyone to perform traditional African dances.
FEB 9 – Dunham with Shawna Williams: The Dunham Technique involves the merging of polyrhythmic dance styles in continual motion. Katherine Dunham was the first to combine the individualistic dance movements of Caribbean and African cultures with European-style ballet.
FEB 16 – Afrobeat with Heinz Adjakwah: A fun and diverse style of dance originating predominantly from Sub-Saharan Africa. It is an evolution from traditional African dance styles following the creation of Afrobeats music. Afrobeats music is anchored in West African music styles, particularly Nigerian Afrobeat and Ghanaian highlife, with American jazz, funk, reggae and dancehall added to the mix, creating a hybrid sound from across continents.
FEB 23 – West African with Jalia Inman: West African Dance is an exploration of the African diaspora through song, dance and live drumming.
BHM24 Screening & Panel Discussion
FEB 10 – 2:30 pm
Film: Black Ballerina
Discussion: A Seat at the Table, a Place on the Stage
Moderated by Larry Miller
Panel: Truly A. Austin, Sandra C. Atkinson, Chandini Darby, Kahina Hayes, Alvin Mayes, Amanda Standard, Vincent E. Thomas
Panelist Bios
For the fifth anniversary of MYB’s Black History Month celebration, we are taking it back to the beginning with a screening of the documentary, Black Ballerina, which tells the story of several black women who fell in love with ballet, some of whom were pioneers who were instrumental in paving the way for those who grace the stages of the world today. Afterwards, join us for a discussion about the film as well as the topic of “A Seat at the Table and a Place on the Stage” regarding whether or not the recent shift by many companies to have discussions about Diversity, Equity and Inclusion has translated into the real action of more dancers of color being accepted into professional schools and companies which will ultimately (hopefully) lead to them showing up on stage.
BHM24 Concert
FEB 17 – 3:00 pm, 5:00 pm, & 7:30 pm
This year’s concert brings together schools, organizations and dance companies from throughout the DMV.
3:00 pm– Divine Dance Institute, Morton Street Dance, MOVE|NYC|, Maryland Youth Ballet, Princess Mhoon Dance Institute, The VIVA School, The Washington School of Ballet @THEARC
5:00 pm– Bowie State, Divine Dance Institute, Full Circle Dance Company, Morton Street Dance, ktm eXtreme dance project, MOVE|NYC|, MYB, Princess Mhoon Dance Institute, University of Maryland (College Park), The VIVA School, The Washington School of Ballet
7:30 pm– Bowie State, Full Circle Dance Company, ktm eXtreme dance project, MOVE|NYC|, Maryland Youth Ballet, University of Maryland (College Park), The VIVA School, The Washington School of Ballet Adult Program
Tickets
3 & 7:30 pm Shows: $20 Adult; $15 Children & Seniors
5 pm Show: $25 Adult; $20 Children & Seniors
5 pm Show Livestream: $10/household
Sunday Morning Stretch
FEB 4, 11, 18, & 25 – 9:15-10:30 am
Special VIRTUAL Stretch class every Sunday in February with MYB Alum Allegra Kirksey 9:15-10:30 am.
$10
