Black Women in Dance Research Retreat

The Black Women in Dance Research Retreat Day was created to bring together dancers to share their experiences as black women in this field. Focusing on their relationship with the body, it was an offering of space for reflection, sharing, respite, nature and modalities of self-care as a method to create radical change within the arts sector. 

The documentation of this event forms an archive, a testimony for their voices to be heard, cultivating and examining methodologies for reflection, healing and presence. ‘Through & Beyond’ the short film created from this day highlights some of the subjects touched on as well as the non-verbal communication the exchange of energy between the women; with a desire to reach ideals of safety, discovery, nourishment and community. 

The  Dance Art Foundation’s Systemic Change Bursary contributed to the funding of this project supported, curated and produced by Anthea Lewis/ Blulilli Projects. 

As a result of this retreat, the short film ‘Through & Beyond‘ was created.

Playlist

Natifah White

Reflections:

Through this event I realised how much trauma and other life impacting experiences have not only affected how I approach certain situations, but also the way it is embedded in my everyday gestures. From how I sit to how my feet are never (fully) on the floor, this has made me think about ways my body has/ is holding experience and surviving. 

With this realisation, this event has encouraged me to look at my relationship to trauma more closely and seek alternative therapy/ healing practices. It was my first time trying a gong bath and I was (quite literally) moved by the sensation it left in my body. I would like to look into sonic therapies in the future as I’m interested in exploring therapies that put the body at the forefront; something I haven’t given much thought (thoroughly) before.

I took part in a day that was nourishing, difficult, uplifting, surrounding, sonic, tailoring, tasty, quiet, loud, warm, full of incense sticks, organic and hopeful with other inspiring black women. The day involved: walking, sitting, standing, laying, listening, eating, drinking, staring, breathing, smelling, talking, singing, laughing, crying, losing, finding, writing, holding with other inspiring black women. The day was about: sharing, bearing, caring, understanding, encouraging and embracing other inspiring black women.

Mina Aidoo

Mina Aidoo is an Artist and Trauma resolution practitioner. 

Her journey so far involves turning down a major West End World Tour in order to find herself, drinking plant medicine, shaving her head, learning all about sacred sexuality & releasing a book of poetry. She now supports BIWOC with their bodies, helping them to release past trauma, including childhood, generational and ancestral trauma, so that they can overcome depressive states, flow with life instead of get beaten up by it, and step into the powerful person they know they are deep down inside. 

Reflections:

I discovered that although I attended because I am deeply passionate about helping Black Women heal from Trauma, what came whilst I was in community with these wonderful women was how much support I had been lacking as a new mother. By being in this space I felt the nourishment of being with others who I felt were also me, and who had somewhat of a shared experience. It made me feel much less alone, the impact of which cannot be overstated. 

Being around other Black women who were sharing experiences that I recognised on a soul level was extremely nourishing. We are taught that there needs to be outcomes and specifics discussed in advance of meetings in order to be ‘productive’ (Patriarchal Capitalism I see you) but women gathering together just because, is deeply healing for the soul. 

We do not flourish alone. We need each other. And I was surprised, in fact I always am, at how much can happen just by being together with others of a similar mind, that you resonate with on a cellular level, in a space that you feel open enough to share and be vulnerable. Where all parts of yourself can be seen and known. Being deeply seen, and known is a beautiful, beautiful thing. 

Its difficult to say precisely why this type of space is important, however Black women know why, even though we may not always be able to always articulate it. 

I would go so far as to say this type of space is essential for a Black Women’s Psyche. All people need a space where they can feel completely at ease, where they can spill over and be their true self, without fear of aggression, being outcasted, or judged. Without these spaces we are not able to be in our fullness, we keep ourselves small and consequently never truly are able to accept ourselves fully, if not reflected in our fullness. 

Black people often do not feel safe in the wider world, for many reasons. So we have to create these kinds of spaces for ourselves. To be seen by our own community, validated by our own communities, reflected by our own communities, and know that we have somewhere that we belong, even if only for a few hours. The time we spend together in these spaces sustains us even when our time together has come to an end. 

Temitope Ajose

Her works have been performed at DanceXchange, RichMix, Dancebase in Edinburgh, Swindon Dance, South Bank,and the Soho Joyce (New York). 

As a dancer Temitope has worked with Punchdrunk, director Carrie Cracknell, Theo Clinkard, Protein Dance Company, Darcy Wallace, Lea Anderson, Joe Moran, Florence Peake and Seke Chimutengwende. Temitope also engages with movement direction (Old Vic and National Theatre) and makes her own work. In addition to this she has been part of the performance team restaging Joan Jonas retrospective at the Tate Modern, working with choreographer and curator Nefeli Skarmea for artist Megan Rooney at the Serpentine Pavilion.

She is currently a member of Lost Dog Dance Company creating a new work ‘ A Tale of two cities’.

Reflections

The highlight of the day was hearing the rich and complex stories of the women at the retreat.  There was almost an instant recognition to one another, and for many of us we didn’t know any of the participants beforehand. As many shared I heard fragments of my own self in them and I felt safe, connected and deeply heard. Being that free in vulnerability was new for me and seeing others also bring such authenticity and honesty was incredibly beautiful.

I felt nourished after the event. I think because there was a healing undercurrent to the day.  There was an experienced therapist who works specifically in group settings, holding space for us. There was a sound practitioner who led a sound bath session to close the day.  Plus the commitment of the participants who fully engaged was vital to this. I Ieft feeling, I had some somehow cracked open parts of myself that had been sadly forgotten but also there was space to reflect on this and continue to intergrate and update self!

Joanne Bernard

Joanne Bernard joined Phoenix in April 2020 as our Rehearsal Director.

She oversees all studio activity, working closely with the Artistic Director, guest choreographers and technical team to support the delivery of our national and international tours. Joanne trained at the Northern School of Contemporary Dance and joins us from Salford University where she worked as the Contemporary Technique tutor on the MA Emergence Performance programme.

Reflections

The highlight of the day for me was being in a safe space with black women, something that I’ve not been afforded for a very long time in my career. To be able to be there and be myself speaking honestly and openly was just amazingly refreshing and inspiring. It’s something that I still reflect on today many weeks later. In that space, I didn’t need to be a particular way, I could speak unfiltered, I could just be.

This type of event impacts the wider sector by fulfilling us and giving us the space and strength to be able to stand up and speak. It can filter through to every woman of colour in the arts that we encounter. We can then begin to build on those networks creating a hub where we can gather to share stories, to be visible and heard whether that’s monthly, quarterly or yearly. It allows us a way to replenish our cup so that we can continue to go forth and fill other cups around us. I feel all too often as black women we are working from very little resource, an almost empty vessel but we continue to give. It creates an opportunity for us to say that there is a future and a place for us and when we take out our space within the sector unapologetically, it can only be for the greater good of the whole industry.