NYSCA Grant 2024 Winner Candice Michelle Franklin X Cumbe Center for African and Diaspora Dance

After our incredible performance this weekend... Guess what FAM?

I'm an NYSCA Grant Award Winner!

This grant allows me to create a new piece called "Rise" in which I'll lead, teach, and choreograph an open-level Adult Community Dance Performance Group for Cumbe: Center for African and Diaspora Dance. My government name is listed under NYSCA FY2024: Support for Artist Awards. Click here to see the list of grantees!

I would like to thank first and foremost Katherine Dunham and my brilliant IDTC family for their inspiration. I would also like to thank Jimena Martinez, our fearless leader of Cumbe, for spearheading our application and believing in me and my vision.

My mission is to bring dance and its performance, with no judgment, back into the lives of adults who used to dance as children and haven't danced in 15 years, the novice, the dance hobbyists, and the self-taught who just want a chance to perform, the busy mother who wants something fulfilling for herself, and the retired professionals who need a place to continue dance in their lives and be challenged without fear of criticism.

We'll be putting together a calendar of local community events for performance opportunities for us to perform by the community and for the community! So look for us This Summer!!!

Dunham-Informed Jazz Class by Candice Michelle Franklin will resume in January 2024!

https://cumbedance.org/dunham-informed-jazz-technique

https://nysca.org/downloads/files/FY2024_New_Awards_List.pdf

Cumbe Dance 4 Joy 2023 is in the books!

Another FANTASTIC Dunham Jazz performance in the books!

And We KILT IT!!!

"Red Warrior"

Choreography by Candice Michelle Franklin

Music by Philip Hamilton with percussion by Baba Fitz

Sold out Show

Sunday, December 10

@Billie Holiday Theater

Every dancer did their part with Passion and Energy literally through the roof and our musicianship was AMAZING... We even had beautiful singing in Creole by our very own student @ortaaoverdose with English translations performed by Miss Hettie and @paetra19 as Spoken Word.

But wait, there's more... We even had a whacking solo juxtaposition section from our very own student, Chris!!! Thank you @philiphamiltonmusic and @fitzoneseven for your brilliant music. Thank you, @cumbedance, for this wonderful opportunity. And, thank you @chicava and @jimenapiacumbe for your brilliant programming, curation, and leadership. You all ROCKED! Shout out to dancers Chris, Hettie, Izzy, Jernee, Akeela, Aqila, Alisha, Jenny, Tanya, Asia, Gabrielle, Layla, and Sadie! Shout out to musicians Philip Hamilton and Baba Fitz Choreography by Candice Michelle Franklin @billieholidaytheatre

Dance For Joy Fall 2023 Workshop

 Dunham-Informed Jazz Performance Workshop

DANCE FOR JOY!

Dunham-Informed Jazz Performance Workshop

With Instruction & Choreography by Candice Michelle Franklin

10-Class Workshop

Open Level

Taught by Miss Candice Michelle Franklin

Saturdays 12pm - 2:00pm

@Cumbe Center for African and Diaspora Dance

Brooklyn, NY

Starts October 7 through December 9, 2023 Performance on December 10, 2023 @The Billie Holiday Theater Brooklyn, NY

Join Cumbe's Dunham-Informed Jazz Performance Workshop!

A Community Dance Group Open to Dancers of All Levels

Dunham Jazz Performance Workshop is a special class and choreography series open to community dancers of all levels culminating into a live concert-staged performance presented by Cumbe at The Billie Holiday Theater with the option to perform at Cumbe socials and locally produced community events.

Next Workshop Series Starts October 7, 2023

Class Description: Inspired by the work of Katherine Dunham, dancers will explore Dunham's movement vocabulary often used in Jazz dance, traditional modern Jazz motifs, as well as vernacular jazz movement and experiment with the three to ultimately train and strengthen the body for a concert Jazz dance movement aesthetic.  For each meeting, a classic Dunham warm-up will be given followed by lively, Dunham-inspired Jazz progressions.  The final hour of each class will be reserved for choreography creation, ultimately building a concert dance piece.   Class is open and embraces all levels, yet challenging enough for students who haven't danced for many years in a fun, freeing, and supportive environment.  

Perform with Cumbe.  All Are Welcome.

Excited to join?  Check out our recap video!

Performance Workshop Recap
December 4, 2022
Performed at the Billie Holiday Theatre

Dunham-Informed Jazz Performance Workshop Schedule             10 Workshop Dates:

Saturday, October 7 Noon - 2:00 pm

Saturday, October 14 Noon - 2:00 pm

Saturday, October 21 Noon - 2:00 pm

Saturday, October 28 Noon - 2:00 pm

Saturday, November 4 Noon - 2:00 pm

Saturday, November 11 Noon - 2:00 pm

Saturday, November 18 Noon - 2:00 pm

Saturday, November 25 Noon - 2:00 pm

Saturday, December 2, Noon - 2:00 pm

Saturday, December 9, Noon - 2:00pm (2:00 - 3:15 pm for Performing Students Only)

(Please note that performing students are not required to attend all rehearsals and workshops, but should make their very best effort to come to any special rehearsals closer to the show to learn their final blocking).

Show Week Information         Culminating Show:                 Sunday, December 10, 2023                 @The Billie Holiday Theater         Time: TO BE ANNOUNCED         Show Week Rehearsals (Student Performers Only)             

        2 Night Rehearsals (Possible Dress Rehearsal/Dates Subject to Change)

                *Wednesday, November 29, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Reserved if needed)

                *Wednesday, December 6, 6:30pm - 8:30pm (Performing Students Only)                 *Friday, December 8, 6:30pm-8:30pm (Dress Rehearsal/Performing Students Only) *Saturday, December 9, 2pm - 3:15pm (Extended Class/Performing Students Only)                 *Sunday, December 10, Tech Rehearsal & Performance (Same Day- Time TBA)

Performance opportunities for other community events and Cumbe socials are optional and may require additional rehearsal.

Dunham-Informed Jazz Performance Workshop

Come Dance With Us!

***