Black Dance Festival DMV
In 2019, Ngoma Center for Dance launched the inaugural Black Dance Festival: DMV, establishing a vital platform for African-American directors, choreographers, and dancers to perform, share, and celebrate their work in the nation’s capital. This groundbreaking initiative addressed a critical gap in Washington, DC’s cultural landscape, where dance represents the smallest sector receiving public funding and professional Black dance company activity has significantly declined since its founding era in 1932.
As the festival’s flagship company, Dissonance Dance Theatre presented remounted works from notable Black choreographers, showcasing an expanded repertoire that honored the legacy and innovation of contemporary Black dance. The festival featured five distinguished choreographers whose work represented the breadth of African-American dance artistry:
Kareem B. Goodwin (Philadelphia) of Eleone Dance Theatre brought his dynamic choreographic voice from the Philadelphia dance scene.
Toren Johnson (Baltimore), an Ailey II company member, contributed work that reflected his training and experience with one of the nation’s premier dance institutions.
Kevin McEwen (New York City) of Kankouran West African Dance Company shared choreography rooted in West African dance traditions and contemporary expression.
Michelle Sloan (Washington, DC), a Dance Theatre of Harlem artist, presented work that bridged classical ballet technique with Black dance aesthetics.
Shawn Short (Washington, DC), Founding Director of Dissonance Dance Theatre, offered original choreography representing the local creative vision driving the festival’s mission.
Beyond established voices, the festival also provided opportunities for emerging choreographic talent from both local and national communities, creating pathways for new artistic voices to be heard.
As Founding Director, Shawn Short, MFA, articulated: “Dance represents the smallest sector receiving public funding in Washington, DC. Additionally, professional DC Black dance companies (and activity) has greatly declined since their founding in 1932. Traditionally, D.C. is a city that eagerly awaits touring shows and concerts. With Mayor Bowser, erecting D.C. as a cultural city, we need to do our part to preserve and celebrate the voices of Black directors, choreographers, and dance artists.”
The 2019 festival marked the beginning of an essential programming initiative dedicated to preserving Black dance heritage, supporting contemporary Black choreographers, and contributing to Washington, DC’s evolving identity as a cultural destination.
