Querides,
In this moment, I feel nothing but gratitude for the loving experiment that has been Dancing Diaspora.
When I started the community class back in January 2017, I never imagined that it would grow into the multi-faceted platform and widespread community it is today. Back then, my intention was to have a space where I could explore ways of moving that I loved and was having trouble finding in other classes in Los Angeles. A dance practice that reflected my own border-crossing experience as a Brazilian immigrant in the US-- one that flowed between many rhythms and movement languages, and honored the ancestral African and Indigenous roots of these diasporic cultures.
As I saw this intention resonate with more people (our Thursday night classes at Pieter Space packed at capacity week after week!) I realized this went way beyond me. Dancing Diaspora took on a life of its own, asking me as its Founder to listen and respond. With each season, I felt myself grow as a teacher and community leader. I learned what it meant to guide 50+ bodies at once, to earn people’s trust in holding space for them, to have care and compassion for where every-body is at, and no matter where that may be, to know that they are full of divine expression and possibility.
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This past year has been full of unprecedented changes for all of us. And while our collective never foresaw having to adapt our platform online, we were blown away by the love and support you showed us week after week at our Zoom offerings. Getting to see old smiling faces, welcome new community members from all over the world, and feel connected across hundreds of living room dancefloors was by far one of the highlights of our year!
But as the world shifts, we shift with it. And after much reflection, our collective members have decided it’s time for us to transition away from our work with Dancing Diaspora. Looking back on the 4 years of this beautiful space, we can’t help but feel grateful for everything we created together as a community…
*The 4 years of sweaty Thursday night dance classes that I have had the honor and pleasure of teaching, and no matter what was happening in my life, could turn to for joy and community.
*The one-of-a-kind Dancing Diaspora Festival, which featured 35+ local artists and provided 3 days of 100% free programming for 300+ community members.
*The creation of our beloved Dancing Diaspora Collective and the many online offerings created by DDC members over this past year, done under the most challenging of pandemic conditions.
*And above all, this vibrant community of mover-shakers who helped create the unique culture of healing exchange that is at the heart of Dancing Diaspora, especially the Black and Brown women and gender non-conforming folks who have always been at the center of our space.
As we close out Dancing Diaspora, we honor this incredible community that has supported and sustained us since 2017. To that end, we are thrilled to share with you... the Dancing Diaspora Farewell Season!
I will be teaching my signature DD class one last time, as well as hosting some of my favorite mestras for Thursday night classes in March & April— including Vera Passos, Rosangela Silvestre, Kati Hernandez, Rachel Hernandez, and a very special Virtual Dance Jam hosted by mi comadre Soy Nalgona!
See more info below & REGISTER HERE!
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As is true of all endings, I know many beautiful new beginnings await us on the other side of this bittersweet good-bye. And that, no matter where we go, we get to take with us what matters most from Dancing Diaspora... our beloved community, and our commitment to embodying radical joy.
I can’t wait to celebrate all we have created together and dance with you in this Farewell Season!
Do fundo do meu coração, obrigada… and see you on the (virtual) dancefloor!
Com amor & carinho sempre,
Marina
