Sofrito of Cultures

Lead by Master Teacher and Dance Artist Penny Godboldo and Living Arts’ Teaching Artist Miryam Johnson, the Living Arts Youth Dance Ensemble trained in the Katherine Dunham Technique of dance—which blends European ballet, modern, jazz, and classical African movement—in a two-week dance intensive.

In celebration of Afro-Latinx identity and culture, Living Arts and the Penny Godboldo Institute presented a community performance and sharing. This engaging performance included live music accompaniment by Chinelo "Chi" Amen-Ra and Ozvaldo "Ozzie" Rivera. Audience members were invited to participate in the performance.

This project was supported in part by the National Endowment for the Arts and graciously hosted by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History.

CLICK HERE to read Johnson’s reflection article.

Finding JOY

Finding JOY, is a expression of the complexity of healing. This work investigates what it means to be vulnerable, pursue peace, access ancestral wisdom and conjure joy. What movement sustains us and how do we heal beyond ourselves?

This work premiered at Sidewalk Festival in the Summer of 2018 at the Historic Artist Village in Detroit. 

Artists Pictured (Left to Right): Kemia Wright, Amani Parker and Miryam Johnson

Black Dance Collective 

Black Dance Collective was an evening length dance concert featuring Black Dance Artists of various genres. This concert aims to bring the artists together to admire and critique each others work. Here, we can be unapologetically Black and proud.  

*The artists pictured below were inspiration for the project and not apart of the collective* 

REBELLION: An Artistic Exloration

Rebellion: An Artistic Exploration, investigates the frustration, strength and resilience that has come with generations of continued rebellions in the Black Community. Through poetry and dance, these artists speak or move to honor the work of 3 generations; our grandparents, our parents and ourselves.

This work was debuted June 24th, 2017 at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History, one month before the 50th anniversary of the '67 Detroit Rebellion.

CLICK HERE to view livestream of the debut performance. 

"I was impressed with the talent and creativity of the work. It brought a new dimension of intensity to the subject of '67. They clarified the history and the future as well." 

- Sharon Peters