We are making this content available for free, but we hope you will consider making a donation to the Center. As a small nonprofit committed to serving our community, the Northampton Center for the Arts needs your help so that we can continue to provide affordable space for artists, performers, and educators after this crisis is over. Please consider making a donation of any amount through our website or Venmo @Northampton-CenterForTheArts.
Suggested donation: $5-$50
The AFROmation Festival:
Indigenous African wisdom and the importance of encouragement of mind, body and soul.
Friday March 6th - Friday April 24th, 2020
The Northampton Center for the Arts is thrilled to present The AFROmation Festival, a project by Jamila Jackson and Shakia Johnson in collaboration with the Center for the Arts, Five College Dance, and the School for Contemporary Dance and Thought. The work of these Black women artists and educators in the Connecticut River Valley explores the intersection between affirmation, feminism and the rhythm and movements of the African Diaspora.
The festival is open to all, and is designed to spark meaningful conversation and experiences and build diverse and inclusive community between Five College and community college students, staff, and faculty, and community members throughout the Connecticut River Valley.
Facebook Events:
The AFROmation Festival
to be listened into speaking (performance)
to be listened into speaking (opening reception)
AFROmation Conversation
to be listened into speaking, Jamila Jackson’s MFA Thesis Concert and Exhibit
Performance: Friday, March 6th at 7pm, Flex Studio, Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley Street. Tickets are sliding scale: $0-$19 [Youth/Students/Limited Income] $20 [General] $26+ [sponsorship rate] https://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/4506512
Exhibit: Opening reception (Arts Night Out) — Friday, March 13th, 5-8pm CANCELLED
Exhibit runs March 6th - April 24th
Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley St
Free and open to the public
This project marks the launch of The Embodied Leadership Project’s (ELP) Community Dance Program. The exhibit and performance explore the Dance Program’s curriculum, which exists in a legacy of turning to African Indigenous wisdom as a resource for building inclusive, diverse, and empowered communities. This program is supported in part by a grant from the Northampton Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
The Intelligent Black Woman, Shakia Johnson’s MFA Thesis Concert CANCELLED
Saturday, April 11th at 7pm, School for Contemporary Dance and Thought, 25 Main Street, Studio 4. Tickets $15 at the door or online: https://www.scdtnoho.com/tickets.html
This concert work presents Choreographer and Five College Dance Professor Shakia Johnson’s MFA Thesis research. Her research focuses on the intersections of Black Women, social dancing, education, religion, African History linked to the U.S., all elements of Hip Hop culture, and specifically female pioneers within Hip Hop and Jazz era culture.
AFROmation Conversation, hosted in collaboration with the Five College Dance Department PLEASE CHECK BACK TO SEE IF THIS EVENT WILL BE HELD REMOTELY
Tuesday, April 21st, 6-7:30pm, Northampton Center for the Arts at 33 Hawley St. Free.The public is invited to witness a dialogue between Shakia Johnson, Jamila Jackson and several undergraduate dance students/scholars that will explore the relationship between affirmation and feeling within manifestations of Black dance and culture.
