30 YEARS OF SERVING BLACK DANCE: 1991 - 2021 | 30th Anniversary

The International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) presents 30 Years Of Serving Black Dance, an anniversary season celebrating IABD’s role as the preeminent dance service organization and institutional voice for the Black Dance sector. We proudly honor the significant contributions, connections and influences that dance by people of African ancestry or origin have on the American and International cultural landscape. Over the last three decades, IABD has championed Black Dance voices through performance presentations, educational programming, networking opportunities, and scholarly activities. We celebrate our foresight and resilience to enrich the dance sector with the narratives of Black experiences. Join us in recognizing our legacy, our connections, our influence from 1991 and into the future, for many years to come.

This anniversary season, 30 Years Of Serving Black Dance, sets us on a course of action and the activation of our entire mission. We recognize that the IABD network is one of our greatest assets, and it includes a wealth and matrix of institutions, individual creatives and thinkers. IABD preserves and promotes dance by people of African ancestry or origin, and assists and increases opportunities for artists in advocacy, audience development, education, funding, networking, performance, philosophical dialogue, and touring. And it is through our mission that we work collectively to affirm that our contributions will be revered, respected, and preserved in the consciousness and cultural institutions of all people.

Beginning January 2021, the celebration begins with an array of dance experiences and events that will commemorate the rich history and contributions from this organization to the dance industry. IABD will bring you the artists and companies you love, historic works from the Black Dance canon, dance classes in a diversity of genres, rich conversations from scholars and academics within the community, and so much more. We will be chronicling the story of how IABD came to be, illustrating the progress we have made towards achieving our mission, and recognizing our members and many partners who have been with us on this 30-year journey. Most importantly, we want to shine a spotlight on the impact of IABD by affirming how DANCE has been our mode of survival and sustainability. Join us. There is something for everyone. At IABD, Dance Thrives Here. Let’s Celebrate It!

Curated programming of the 30th Anniversary Season includes:

AT THE FEET OF THE MASTERS

• An hour dance class focused on a specific style/technique of dance followed by a half hour Q&A with a master teacher for intermediate and advanced dancers.

BLACK DANCE CANON

• This series presents masterworks that shape and define the scope of the Black dance aesthetic. These legendary works are revered for their narrative, movement language, intentionality and continued relevance to audiences and societal conversations.

COMPANY PERFORMANCE

• Explores the many forms, styles and techniques within dance; as each company work encapsulates the expression and voice from a diverse group of choreographers.

DISCUSSION

• Provides the community with the opportunity to learn from and share international perspectives in a variety of presentation styles.

FILM FRIDAY

• A series that explores dance in the digital space. Experience choreographic works that defy theatrical conventions connecting us to our daily lives.

FRONT ROW

• Celebrates the choreographic works, scholarly activities and contributions of dance artists, intellectual and organizations within the Black dance sector through a presentation and post-show talkback. Beginning February 11, join us every other Thursday as we feature the breadth, depth and knowledge of our folx.

GOSPEL PERFORMANCE

• Celebrates the Black religious experience through music and liturgical dance.

OPEN SPACE

• An episodic series devoted to addressing pressing issues in the field of dance.