Dance Outliers: Keeping Dance Forms from the Street Alive & Authentic

Hip-Hop culture has its roots in post-civil rights America. Pantsula and Gumboot has its roots in post-Apartheid South Africa. Malambo stems from the cultural expression of the gauchos in the countryside of Argentina. In this session, three trailblazing artists, choreographers, and show-makers talk about these dance cultures, expressions, and styles that have risen from counter-culture street expression to become established art forms on stages around the world. How do we preserve the cultural roots and techniques of these art forms as they break into the mainstream, including in the studio, on the stage, and in social media? How do you let other people dance your dance when it is so steeped in stories and cultural expression while at the same time, allowing the next generations the needed space to evolve, try new things and introduce new ideas? In this illuminating session, Natasha Jean-Bart (Canada), Michael Moloi (South Africa), and Matías Jaime (Argentina) discuss their passionate, pioneering efforts and challenges in their quest to preserve authenticity while celebrating the universal expression of these dance forms across borders.