Charlotte Professor Ashley Tate Shines At The Baltimore Black Choreographers Festival
Assistant Professor of Dance Ashley Tate recently presented her work, ”When A Black Man Walks,” at the 3rd Annual Baltimore Black Choreographers Festival in Baltimore, Maryland. Held October 13-15, the festival was a weekend of performances, panels, and workshops designed to highlight Black choreographers. The Black Choreographers Festival also “represents the Baltimore community through unique works that are choreographed by dancers who mirror what many Baltimore residents look like: people of color. Through multi-genre master classes led by established Black educators, a networking event, and two evening performances, the Black Choreographers Festival will uplift and support the Baltimore community.”
Earlier this fall, Professor Tate was also invited to participate in a No Tears Project concert honoring the Little Rock Nine in Little Rock, Arkansas, and to present at the National Dance Educators Organization (NDEO) conference in Denver, Colorado.
Professor Tate was featured in the No Tears Project ensemble along with other musicians, spoken word artists, and choreographers. The concert was a part of “Little Rock Nine Day,” which commemorates and honors the 66th anniversary of the Little Rock Nine’s desegregation of Central High School. Tate reprised her piece choreographed last spring for the No Tears Project in St. Louis. In an especially meaningful moment, she also met Elizabeth Eckford, who is an American Civil Rights activist and one of the Little Rock Nine.
Tate’s presentation for the NDEO conference was entitled: “Creativity in Community: Dance as a Unifying Art Form.” Within the workshop, she discussed her background and research, conducted a movement improvisation activity for the attendees, and provided tips and ideas for those who were interested in presenting work or facilitating classroom activities that foster social justice commentary.