UnEarthing Virginia's Dance Gems

Together we shine Brighter!

February 2-4, 2024 is your opportunity to deepen your connections with dance artists from all over the Commonwealth of Virginia, engage across diverse movement genres, all celebrate amazing Black dance histories, opportunities, and futures.

Schedule Of Events:

Friday, February 2, 2024

6:00 PM – 7:30 PM
Community Dance Class with Sister Judy and Dj
It's a Family Affair with Sister Judy and  Dj Jamil Jacey! Open to all ages and abilities! Just bring your positive vibes and dress to move.

Saturday, February 3, 2024

8:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Resgistration and Check In

9:00 AM – 9:55 AM
Be Moved with Julinda Lewis
Come move with certified BeMoved instructor Julinda Lewis. Have fun moving and grooving through choreographed dance routines designed to get moving to familiar songs. Class so fun it doesn't feel like a work out. Suitable for ages 8 and up

9:00 AM – 10:00 AM
Jazz: Beginning/Intermediate with DeShon Rollins
Get you Jazz on with the dynamic and powerful DeShon Rollins. He brings both his concert and HBCU band experience into his upbeat and focused Jazz class designed to empower movers of all levels. recommended for ages 12 and up or 8 and up with some dance experience.

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Banners with Ingram Brown
Learn how to use and properly handle billows, flags, veils and dance ribbons for both worship and secular dance performances. Participants will have the opportunity to be hands on with large banners and flags. Feel free to bring your own to utilize in class. Learn how to add this spectacular visual effect to your next dance presentation!

10:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Intermediate to Advanced Hip Hop with Talita Jackson
Talita Jackson of Richmond City Dance Program and Virginia Commonwealth University Dance Department, brings her award winning hip choreography to VBDF.  Her fast paced and dynamic class is guranteed to help you add new skills to your bag. some experience is preferred. Ages 15 and up

11:00 AM – 11:00 AM
Dunham Based Technique with Camille Weanquoi
Get to know Dunham Technique with amazing Camille Weanquoi. She guides you through basic principles of Dunham  with clarity and encouragement. Explore center warmup techniques and across the floor. Great for all levels of movers.

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Dance Performance Technique with Devin Joyner
Usingher years of experience in both concert and commercial dance performance and choreography Devin will guide you through finding the story and meaning in movement helping you step up your performance. Work on performance techniques to bring move life and expression to your dancing.  some dance experience is preferred. This is open to dancers 12 and up.

1:00 PM – 1:00 PM
Panel discussion: We shine brighter together
Discussing the challenges, and solutions for connecting and supporting othe BIPOC artists in VA and Beyond as we continue to uncover the dance gems among us. How do we collaborate to present and develop work? How do we help each other provide quality dance training for ourselves, students, companies and teams? What are some basic needs that need to be met for that support to thrive?

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Modern Dance with Rodney L. Williams
Modern Dance class with Rodney L. Williams of Longwood University and Richmond citty Dance Program, is a dynamic exploration of movement. Explore the seamless blend of physical expression, rhymic exploration, and modern dance technique. Some dance experience is helpful but not neccessary.

2:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Hip Hop with Jasmine McKenzie of Richmond Urban Dance
Jasmines mix of old school meets new school hip hop choreography helps you find your inner groove, and put it in your moves.

3:00 PM – 4:00 PM'
African Dance With Jessica Couser of Ezibu Muntu African Dance Ensemble

5:00 PM – 6:30 PM
Meet and Greet networking Mixer
Come enjoy food and get to know the artists and fellow dancers participating in Virginia Black Dance Festival. Open to all registered presenters.

Sunday, February 4, 2024

3:00 PM – 5:00 PM
Virginia Black Dance Festival Performance at Main Theater Appomattox Regional Governor's School

Date: February 2-4, 2024

Time:
February 2, 2024 -6:00pm to 7:30pm
February 3, 2024 - 8:00am to 6:30pm
February 4, 2024 - 3:00pm to 5:00pm

Location: Appomattox Regional Governor's School, 512 West Washington Street, Petersburg, VA 23803

Click Here To Register

Click Here For More Information