PHX Art BlakTinx Dance
Festival Showcase
At the PHX Art BlakTinx Dance Festival Showcase, audiences can expect a rich tapestry of dance works that explore a wide range of emotions, cultures, and stories. Jenny Gerena's "Light the Way" inspires unity and support among individuals as they navigate the unknown together. Shaniece Brazwell’s "Fall Collection" merges the elegance of fashion with the fluidity of dance, while Ulliana Serna's "312" offers a poignant reflection on personal experiences through light and shadow. Shanaleigh Mejia’s "Harvest Community Dance" celebrates African communal traditions, bringing to life the joy and significance of working together. Justin Moore’s "My Joy" draws from scripture to create a heavenly narrative of comfort and connection, and Elva Howard’s "A Year" delves into a personal journey toward self-acceptance. Delia Ibañez’s "My _________ Body is an Estuary" merges movement with live music to explore the relationship between trauma, nature, and community. Felix Cruz’s "El Apasionamiento" is an expressive exploration of the artist's various passions, while Angelica Peña’s "Otra Historia De Amor" presents a beautiful Mexican love story through a blend of traditional and modern dance, celebrating the joy of courtship. Each piece offers a unique perspective, promising a diverse and captivating experience for all attendees.
1:00pm show
Jenny Gerena, Shaniece Brazwell, Ulliana Serna, Shanaleigh Mejia
Jenny gerena
Light the way
Dancers: Krystal Castro, Jenny Gerena, Tasi Harrington, Anahi Jimenez, Juls Tarango
Music: Didn’t Cha Know by Jose James, Ebban Dorsey
Costumes: Jenny Gerena
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Together we can walk the path unknown and light the way for one another.
shaniece brazwell
Fall Collection
Dancers: Amanda Bittle Britney Corrigan Chelsea Neiss and Shaniece Brazwell
Music: Daydream by Massivan
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This work is an exploration of the appreciation of fashion and dance movement.
ulliana serna
312
Dancers: Jordan Tercero
Music: original score
Costumes: Ulliana Serna
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Light enters through the caverns left by what you've experienced.
shanaleigh Mejia
Harvest Dance A Community Celebration
Dancers: Shanta Lewis, Kayla Williams, and Shana Mejia
Music: Recording Harvest song Spirit of Africa
Drummer: Folade
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In many African cultures, communal farming practices are deeply rooted. Communities coming together to plant and harvest crops. The celebration to honor the crops’ growth sounds like a joyful and meaningful event. The two dancers will depict when the village gathers to celebrate the end of hard work and to bear the fruits of their labor. A symphony of joy takes place. The drums beat like heartbeats, feet stamp the earth, Women sway with baskets, their skirts a canvas of hues, Their fingers deftly weaving stories into each furrow they choose, proving life’s worth. We share this dance to remind others everything take time but if we work together, we grow faster and in abundance. May this dance bind communities and nourish our souls.
3:00pm show
Justin Moore, Elva Howard, Delia Ibañez, Felix Cruz, and Angelica Peña
Justin moore
My Joy
Dancers: Aida Mohamed, Alisha Hinkle, Amanishakhete Anacaona, Azalea Henderson, Devotera Hill, Erika Hinkle
Fernando Lino and Justin Moore (Jae Beau)
​Music: "My Joy" by Jae Beau
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This piece is inspired by scripture, specifically John 14. This is where Jesus comforts his disciples by telling them of Heaven. My vision with this choreography is to tell the story of creating Heaven right here on Earth by how we see ourselves and those around us and how we console and comfort one another.
elva howard
A Year
Dancers: Elva Howard
Music: Spoken word by Elva Howard inspired by Megan Wofford
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A Year is a deep personal exploration of self-struggle and the journey towards self-acceptance.
delia Ibañez
My _________ Body is an Estuary
Choreographer: Delia Ibañez in collaboration with performers
Dancers: Coley Curry and Delia Ibañez
Music: Live Music by Mo Maduro
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Delia Ibañez is a place-based multidisciplinary artist. Delia’s body of work, Process in Place, facilitates trauma-informed residencies, workshops, and community building. They believe that the natural world holds the keys to the reciprocal relationships that make our imagined futures possible.
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Lyrics to sing along below:
felix cruz
el apasionamiento
Performer: Felix Cruz
Music: "Si Una Vez" by Selena & "You Keep Me Hangin On" by Kim Wilde
I am extremely passionate about a lot of things. How can I create a space to physically explore all of my passions, both negative and positive? "el apasionamiento" is an incubator where all my passions co-exist.
angelica peña
Otra Historia De Amor
Choreographer: Angelica Peña in collaboration with Fiesta Mexicana Dance Company, Jarabe Mixteco- Ballet Folklorico Nacional de México de Silvia Lozano in collaboration with FMDC
Dancers: Angelica Peña, Israel Elizalde
Music: Si Nos Dejan by José Alfredo Jiménez, Jarabe Mixteco by Orquesta del Ballet Folklorico Nacional de Mexico de Silvia Lozano
Costumes: Traditional outfits by Fiesta Mexicana Dance Company
A beautiful Mexican love story told through both a traditional and modern lense, Otra Historia De Amor, is a story used to express the joy and playfulness of courtship. The beginning gives us the introduction of the couple and explores their new connection. While the second half tells the viewer about their growing affection and love through a traditional courtship dance from Oaxaca, Mexico.