Choreography and Art Installation by Indya Childs
Dancers:
Dia Adams
Malia Craft
Charray Helton
Kaela Lawrence
Adrienne Abdus- Salaam
Jordan Steve
Voice: Charmaine Minniefield is an artist-activist whose work preserves Black narratives as a radical act of social justice.
“Tokoliana” is a contemporary African dance work inspired by the Congolese experimental music group KOKOKO!'s song "Tokoliana" meaning "we are devouring each other" in Lingala. This song is a reference to the daily struggle and greed that has engulfed the country. Their powerful message is met with an upbeat track that also captures the hope and optimism of the people. Taking the lead from KOKOKO!, this dance work uses upbeat tracks combined with vigorous African-inspired dancing to juxtapose the bluntly spoken text concerning the harsh truths of America. This work aims to capture the hope and ancestral connection infused in the Black community.
Art Installation
This art installation aims to grasp the spiritual energy connected to Black people. Each structure is made from gold rings- gold being a prestigious metal signifying wealth and luxury. There are three different-sized rings to represent the divine trinity. The rings, adorned with green, yellow, and red flowers along with black African masks, represent the colors of the Pan-African or Black Liberation flag. The selected colors truly capture the make-up of the Black community: red for the violence/ sacrifice, yellow for the optimism/ rebirth, green for the spiritual growth, and black for our skin. These colors are represented through flowers as a way to give homage to our ancestors.
Support for the development of Tokoliana was provided by Dance Canvas and Atlanta Contemporary.
Photography by CreativiTEA
Performance Dates:
- SEPT. 11, 2021 at 6:30pm.
Summer Residency with Dance Canvas at The Atlanta Contemporary
Location: Atlanta Contemporary Art Center
535 Means Street Northwest
Atlanta, GA 30318
-SEPT 18, 2021 at 6:00pm.
Peace One Day with Can I Color Now Studio at Aatma Dance School
Location: Aatma Dance Studio
3308 Laventure Dr, Ste 170
Atlanta, GA 30341
Send your payments below. Be sure to list Peace One Day and Your Name with your payment. For virtual tickets, include your email! All ticket sales will go towards supporting the global Peace One Day movement.
Tickets
$15 IN PERSON/ $10 VIRTUAL
Venmo : @Rene-Nesbit
Cash App : $ReneNesbit
PayPal : canicolornowstudios@gmail.com
October 17, 2021 at 3 pm
ELEVATE Atlanta- "A Dance, Reunited"
Location: Atlanta Contemporary Art Center
535 Means Street Northwest
Atlanta, GA 30318
THIS EVENT IS FREE AND OPEN TO THE PUBLIC
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Director: Indya Childs
Director of Photography: Dwayne Young
Executive Producers: Indya Childs, T'Shauna Henry, and Dwayne Young
Story Producer: Indya Childs
Dancers: Dia Adams, Indira Cunningham, Veronica Silk, Zunitria Butler, Brianna "Azule" Nixon, Destiny Smith, Jordan Steve, Jade "Danni" Clark, Ebonee English
A mini docu-series that highlights Black female dancers' experiences in their respected dance genres as Black artists.
Premiered
Presented by The Peace, Love, and Dance Project- Windmill Arts Center- East Point, Ga (2021)
Directed by Indya Childs
Director of Photography: Joshua Cleveland
Choreography- Indya Childs in collaboration with dancers
Produced by Ball State University
Costume Design: Indya Childs
Sound Design: Chris Gravely and Joshua Cleveland
Coordinator: Melanie Swihart
Production Manager: Chloe Kincade
Assistant Production Manager: Grace Schoening
Dancers: Katie Cole, Bridget Donovan, Kyra Jacobs, Kate Laughlin, Carly Lucas, Teah Mirabelli, Hannah Morrow, Jadah Rowan, Keith Smith, Robbie Weatherington, Ashlyn Works, Annicka Erickson, Caelan Smith
Peace, Love, and Dance is a dance on film work influenced by self-described Black, lesbian, mother, warrior, poet - Audre Lorde and her writings on creatively using our differences to bring change. The work explores her idea of there not being a hierarchy of oppression and asks the question of "How do we find equity, justice, and liberation on race and gender issues that have been plaguing our world for centuries?" Through research and collaboration, Peace, Love, and Dance explores the possibilities to the posed question through acknowledgment of the past, understanding the depth of one's identity, and more. This work is an ongoing conversation and process.
Premiered
Ball State University Digital Theater (2021)
(Click here to learn more about this project)
LOADED(2020)
Directed/ Produced by Indya Childs
Video Editing/ Sound Design by Joshua Cleveland
Videographer: Alan Kimura Dixon
Choreography by Indya Childs in collaboration with Joshua Schadl
Dancers: Indya Childs and Joshua Schadl
This dance film commemorates some of the many Black American lives lost due to police brutality.
Premiered:
WOW- Women of the World Festival at the Apollo Theater (2021)
ElevateATL- (2020)
And I am also... (2021)
Choreography by Indya Childs in collaboration with Charray Helton
Costume Design by Charray Helton
Music- "Love" by Mica Levi, Spoken Word by Charray Helton, Edited by Alesandra Harper
This work challenges the social stigmas and limitations placed on Black women through exploring the multidimensionality of Black women's identity outside of social constructs.
Premiered:
Black- a dance film premiere + a live performance presented by The Peace, Love, and Dance Project- (2021)- Windmill Arts Center- East Point, GA
In Her Voice Showcase- (2021) - Synchronicity Theatre- Atlanta, Ga
BLACK (2020)
Written and Directed by Charray Helton
Produced by Charray Helton and Indya Childs
Video Editing by Joshua Cleveland
Choreography by Indya Childs in collaboration with Charray Helton
Costume Design by Charray Helton
Spoken word by Charray Helton
Music by Jaron Hardy
Videograper: Victor (V.J.) Lopez
Lighting Designer : Lorin Dent
Audio: Katie Leaman
Audio Assistant/ Grip: Daniel Lopez
Charray Helton is a graduating student with Alonzo King LINES Ballet BFA Program. She has spent her senior year investigating the definition of blackness sparked by recent events of racial injustice within the country. The work does not speak for an entire race, but rather for Charray and how she defines being a Black woman in America today. While collaborating with choreographer and producer, Indya Childs, and filmmaker, Joshua Cleveland, the trio creates a visual depiction of how Charray recognizes how the layers of strength and perseverance have developed the character of the African American community. As she continues her research beyond “BLACK”, and concludes her senior year, she hopes to continue to create works like this one, bringing awareness to necessary social and political discussions through dance and film.
Premiered:
Black- a dance film premiere + a live performance presented by The Peace, Love, and Dance Project- (2021)- Windmill Arts Center- East Point, GA
Serendipity Film Festival (2021)