Project Plie

Misty Copeland

I have a deep love for Misty Copeland. Not only is she incredibly talented, she is VERY vocal about the lack of minorities/diversity in the Ballet world. Also, she's soooo beautiful right?? She continues to dance professionally and speak around the country on the importance of exposing Ballet and it's rich history to the youth, especially brown girls.
I used to be in love with ballet. However, because I was never encouraged to pursue it and I never saw dancers who looked like me, I gave up those dreams. I developed early, peeps, and a curvy ballerina is not the norm. No one ever came out and said no, but they did push my to try other styles so I could become a well rounded dancer (#Truth).
So I began to study different styles and found my passion in modern/contemporary dance. With that said, there is always a part of my that thinks "What if…"
I've spoken to many black dancers who reminisce of a past desire to be ballerinas but never got the support from their teachers and never saw the opportunity to make it to Prima Ballerina status.
Misty has signed on to be the face of Project Plie, which will award scholarships to black youth in an effort to diversify ballet.

What are your thoughts?

Is this the way to get more young black girls interested in ballet AND they way to get them within reach of Prima Ballerina status?

Hmmmm….
Project Plie

Ballet all the way

I came across this article and had to share. Enjoy!

Steve McLendon of the Pittsburg Steelers

Grace and Gridiron

Monday Motivation

The Window Sex Project

One of the things on my New Years resolution list was to work with new choreographers and more women of color and by the end of January it had happened. The great and wonderful Sydnie L. (Don't forget the L) Mosley created an evening length work called "The Window Sex Project" that is a response through dance to street harassment.
You know the scene.
"Yo miss, MISS!"
"Hey beautiful"
"You need some help with that bag shorty?"
Insert your favorite line here ___________

We've all experienced it, witnessed it or maybe WE said inappropriate words to someone else and thought it was OK. The fact of the matter is, it happens and how I deal with it has been a real eye opener. I'm from Brooklyn, I'm used to men hollering at me everyday. Most if the time I don't even pay attention to it but a few times someone goes too far and I feel compelled to say something. I've been told since I was young to not respond back. "People are crazy" my mother said. "You don't know what they will do". So that's it right? I shouldn't say anything? I should just walk a little faster, keep my head down and make sure to never ever wear a short skirt?
I realize the answer to why it happens and why we respond the way we do is not an easy one and maybe there isn't a concrete answer. I would like to point out that for me it's deeply rooted in how we communicate with each other and I shouldn't feel uncomfortable when you communicate with me. The conversation has started and now I'm a part of it.

What are your thoughts on street harassment? 

Here we are at Penn State. 

Dance Crush: Blanca Li

I have been a fan of Blanca Li's work for a long time; even before I knew it was her stuff. One of my all time favorite videos is Daft Punk's "Around the World" from the album "Homework." Directed by Michel Gondry and choreographed by Blanca Li, a Spanish dancer/choreographer, the video shows four groups of people who are meant to be the visual representations of the 4 beats in the song. This is the song that got me hooked on Daft Punk and this is the video that got me hooked on the idea of choreographing for video and film. I loved the idea of creating this electronic, brightly colored world and having movement be the main representation of the song and it's mood. I really like that the choreography is different with elements of modern and hip hop. Li uses sharp and angular movements, great timing between the four groups, and with the help of great direction by Gondry, you can really see the wonderful patterns that she creates with the dancers and their movements. It's sticking to a specific aesthetic that's not of the booty shaking variety (I'm looking at you Beyonce…).

PS, if you teach kids, get your hands on some Daft Punk songs asap. Interesting beats that are fun to dance to and most of their songs don't have or have very few words. PPS, watch your students eyes bug out as you tell them that Kanye SAMPLED THEM!
PPPS, check out Blanca Li's work. She not only has a dance company but she acts and directs.
Blanca Li
Enjoy!

The one in yellow is really working it right?

Watch the video here-----> Around The World

Music for the weekend

Lupe Fiasco "Bitch Bad"

I. Love. Lupe. Fiasco.

That is all

Enjoy the weekend!