other worshops

RETURN TO WAKANDA

On February 15, EBM Facilitators Maxine Montilus, Pia Murray, and Matia Johnson led hip hop and dance hall  party-workshop for over 150 participants at St. Joseph’s High School for Girls in celebration of their black history month program titled Return to Wakanda. 

A JOURNEY THROUGH JUBA WORKSHOP

Rooted in the African-American vernacular, this movement workshop led by Camille A. Brown or a member of CABD celebrates the power of African-American social dance and its impact and influence on American dance forms throughout history. Using JUBA (“pattin juba”) as a jumping off point, participants are taken on a social dance journey. From “the wing” to “the whip”, attendees investigate the ways communities used movement as a way of protest, liberation, and/or healing. By learning about the past, it is Camille’s hope that the spirit of expression through movement is embodied in our present day – providing the individual with a platform to celebrate their identity and to share their personal expression with the community of participants.

Camille A. Brown and E. Moncell Durden, in collaboration with an esteemed roster of dancers, musicians, and scholars, created a rare opportunity to explore African American social dances, from authentic jazz to hip-hop. This program began at Jacob’s Pillow in July 2015.

“I am filled with so many emotions. I have gained so much respect for the dance style I love social dance. I have gained so much confidence in my dancing and just gain confidence in myself that I never had.”
— Eric Moncell Durden

DOUBLE THIS, JUBA THAT! WORKSHOP

Participants will learn sections from BLACK GIRL: Linguistic Play. In this work, Brown uses the rhythmic play of African-American dance vernacular including social dancing, double dutch, steppin’, tap, Juba, ring shout, and gesture to evoke childhood memories of self-discovery. The rhythmic play of Double Dutch serves as an entry point to the rhythms and movements of social dances that are culturally, individually, and politically rooted.

Led by Camille A. Brown and/or Catherine Foster, CABD member, participants will learn the musical compositions of Hip Hop, Reggae, and African infused in the work and the connection between handclap games and “pattin’ juba”. It is Camille’s hope that the spirit of play is embodied and provides a platform for the individual to celebrate their identity. All levels and all ages are welcome.

JUBA is a dance developed by African-Americans on plantations during slavery in America. It is a precursor of Tap.

PRISON OUTREACH

CABD has brought Black Girl Spectrum and performances from our repertory to prisons across the country.

“By design, prisons are places where human beings are isolated. Places where self-reflection and transformative dialogue most certainly occur, but rarely travel beyond the walls of the institution. Camille A. Brown’s initiative, Black Girl Spectrum, presents an exciting opportunity to have transformative conversations through movement and the power to serve as a conduit for the voices of people in prison—voices that are too often left out of our conversations about empowerment and community building.”

Interested in hosting a workshop in your community or organization? Contact us at ebm@camilleabrown.org