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Exploring the History and Impact of the Dancemobile: A Black Contemporary Dance Festival

Business to Follow, a daily news outlet covering the cultural sector, is bringing readers the latest updates from the regions and around the world. With correspondents stationed abroad and individuals actively involved in creating cultural life, Business to Follow provides a comprehensive view of the cultural landscape. Every Friday, the publication takes its readers to the United States, where they meet a resident of the Villa Albertine.

In the latest edition, Arnaud Laporte engages in a conversation with Sarah Fila-Bakabadio, a historian specializing in American and Afro-American studies. Sarah is a lecturer at CY Cergy Paris University and her research delves into political, cultural, intellectual, and visual circulations in the Black Atlantic from the 19th century to the present. Her areas of interest include African diasporas, black cosmopolitanisms, black beauty, and African-American nationalisms. In 2016, she authored a study titled “Africa on my Mind: social history of Afrocentrisms in the United States” published by Les Indes Savantes, which explores Afrocentrisms in the United States.

Sarah Fila-Bakabadio’s residency at the Villa Albertine has allowed her to extend her university research and draw from her previous experience as a dancer. Having trained for twelve years in Horton and Cunningham techniques and being a member of the Nikita company, Sarah has dedicated her time at the Villa Albertine to studying the Dancemobile (1967-1985), a black contemporary dance festival. Founded by Bill Taylor, this festival aimed to foster social connections and challenge the perceptions of African-Americans and black populations. Sarah intends to retrace the footsteps of the Dancemobile through the three neighborhoods of New York where it traveled, documenting its history and understanding how this pan-African microcosm formed around the dances of black worlds served as a form of black political action. Additionally, she aims to evaluate the artistic and political heritage of the Dancemobile.

Stay tuned to Business to Follow for more updates on the cultural sector and the fascinating work being done by individuals like Sarah Fila-Bakabadio at the Villa Albertine.

How has Sarah Fila-Bakabadio’s residency at Villa Albertine expanded her research and allowed her to explore the world of the Dancemobile festival?

Business to Follow, a leading daily news outlet covering the cultural sector, is your go-to source for the latest updates from around the world. With correspondents stationed abroad and contributors actively shaping cultural life, we offer a comprehensive view of the cultural landscape. And every Friday, we take you on a captivating journey to the United States, where we introduce you to fascinating individuals residing in the Villa Albertine.

In our latest edition, renowned journalist Arnaud Laporte engages in a riveting conversation with Sarah Fila-Bakabadio, a distinguished historian specializing in American and Afro-American studies. Sarah, who is a lecturer at CY Cergy Paris University, delves deep into the realms of political, cultural, intellectual, and visual circulations in the Black Atlantic, spanning from the 19th century to the present. Her areas of expertise encompass African diasporas, black cosmopolitanisms, black beauty, and African-American nationalisms. Notably, Sarah’s groundbreaking study titledAfrica on my Mind: social history of Afrocentrisms in the United States,” published by Les Indes Savantes in 2016, meticulously explores Afrocentrisms in the United States.

Sarah Fila-Bakabadio’s residency at the esteemed Villa Albertine has provided her with the perfect opportunity to expand her university research and draw from her extensive experience as a dancer. Having dedicated twelve years to training in the Horton and Cunningham techniques and being a proud member of the renowned Nikita company, Sarah has utilized her time at the Villa Albertine to delve into the fascinating world of the Dancemobile (1967-1985), a trailblazing black contemporary dance festival. This extraordinary festival, founded by the visionary Bill Taylor, aimed to foster social connections and challenge preconceived notions about African-Americans and black populations as a whole. Sarah’s ambitious project involves retracing the footsteps of the Dancemobile as it traversed through three iconic neighborhoods in New York, documenting its rich history and unraveling the intricate web of pan-African connections formed around the captivating dances of black cultures, which served as a powerful form of black political action. Furthermore, she seeks to evaluate the lasting artistic and political legacy of the Dancemobile.

Business to Follow is dedicated to bringing you more updates on the dynamic cultural sector and highlighting the remarkable work being carried out by individuals like Sarah Fila-Bakabadio at the illustrious Villa Albertine. Stay tuned for a captivating journey into the heart of the cultural landscape.

2 thoughts on “Exploring the History and Impact of the Dancemobile: A Black Contemporary Dance Festival”

  1. This article brilliantly delves into the rich history and profound impact of the Dancemobile, a groundbreaking Black Contemporary Dance Festival. A true celebration of diversity, this festival has captivated audiences and redefined the landscape of dance, validating the invaluable contributions of Black artists. Essential reading for anyone interested in the evolution of contemporary dance and its social significance.

    Reply
  2. This article sheds light on the powerful legacy and influence of the Dancemobile, a remarkable Black Contemporary Dance Festival. It captures the rich history and the profound impact it has had on promoting diversity, inclusivity, and artistic expression in the dance community. A truly inspiring read!

    Reply

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