Date/Time
Date(s) - Friday, March 13, 2020
5:00 pm - 8:00 pm
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Northampton, MA— Jamila Jackson and Shakia Johnson are proud to present the AFROmation Festival, in collaboration with Northampton Center for the Arts, School for Contemporary Dance and Thought, and Five College Dance. An educational project bridging diverse communities, AFROmation is a dialogue sparked by the MFA Thesis research of Jackson and Johnson. The work of these Black women artists and educators in the Pioneer Valley explores the intersection between affirmation, feminism and the rhythm and movements of the African Diaspora.
The festival is open to all, and is designed to spark meaningful conversation and experiences and build diverse and inclusive community between Five College and local community college students, staff, and faculty, and community members throughout the Connecticut River Valley.
Events:
To be listened into speaking, Jamila Jackson’s MFA Thesis Exhibit and Performance
Performance: Friday, March 6th at 7pm, Flex Studio, Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley Street. Tickets are sliding scale: $0-$19 [Youth/Students/Limited Income] $20 [General] $26-upwards [sponsorship rate] https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4506512
Exhibit: March 6th – April 24th with March ANO: to be listened into speaking opening reception, Friday, March 13th from 5-8pm at the Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley St.
This project marks the launch of The Embodied Leadership Project’s (ELP) Community Dance Program. The exhibit and performance explores the Dance Program’s curriculum, which exists in a legacy of turning to African Indigenous wisdom as a resource for building inclusive, diverse, and empowered communities. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Northampton Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
The Intelligent Black Woman, Shakia Johnson’s MFA Thesis Concert
Saturday April 11th at 7pm, School for Contemporary Dance and Thought, Studio 4. Tickets are $15 and available at the door
This concert work presents Choreographer and Five College Dance Lecturer Shakia Johnson’s MFA Thesis research. Her research focuses on the intersections of Black Women, social dancing, education, religion, African History linked to the U.S., all elements of Hip Hop culture, and specifically female pioneers within Hip Hop and Jazz era culture.
AFROmation Conversation, hosted in collaboration with the Five College Dance Department
Tuesday April 21st, 6-7:30pm, Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley St. This event is free.
The public is invited to witness a dialogue between Shakia Johnson, Jamila Jackson and several undergraduate dance students/scholars that will explore the relationship between affirmation and feeling within manifestations of Black dance and culture.