Interview: Dante Brown and the DB/WD WORKSHOP

Dante Brown/Warehouse Dance (DB/WD) will be hosting its first annual workshop May 19-21, 2017 at the Gowanus Loft in Brooklyn, NY. Over the course of three days, professional artists (ages 18 and over) will be able to interact with a range of choreographers who are leaders in the dance community, making provocative work. The artists will lead a workshop based on their choreographic interests as well as share excerpts of their work in an evening performance. Partial proceeds from the program will be donated to the Black Lives Matter movement.

Dante Brown/Warehouse Dance (DB/WD) is a collaborative space where movement artists aim to generate compelling thematic environments within a process of physical and theoretical inquiry. Through investigating theatrical moments from a given theme and their respective emotive counterparts, the goal is to produce work that is approachable and physically innovative.

I had the wonderful opportunity to speak with Dante Brown regarding the DB/WD workshop:

Q: What is the DB/WD workshop?

A: The DB/WD workshop is a time and place where dancers can meet and have access to other dancers. It's a platform to allow for intimate interactions with dancers and choreographers to make and create dance in a way that is accessible and affordable. It is also a way to bring the dance community together and share our unique voices.

Q: How did the idea of the workshop come about?

A: The idea came about out of the challenges of being a dancer in NYC. The dance community here is so big and there is a lot of competition. It is very easy to get frustrated and quit. I wanted to create a community using dance. I wanted to re-think what community is and develop a way to help and support dancers. We as dancers seem to lack access to other dancers and it is important to connect with each other.

Q: How does the Black Lives Matter movement fit in?

A: I was inspired by the movement and their sense of community. There is a way they are able to bring people together that I believe the dance community does so naturally. I also love the whole idea of all bodies matter. And as a way to give back, I wanted to support and donate a portion of the proceeds to their cause.

Q: What is the overall goal of the weekend?

A: Building on the idea of "inclusion," I wanted to showcase different social justice themes. The timing of this was by accident, but worked so perfectly. But we have to remember that these are not new issues. These are things we were dealing with and talking about before. But now really is the time to talk about it. When it comes to the dance community, I want to be able to help re-define the meaning of community. There is a yearning to connect, there's a yearning for hope that I want to help to create.

The DB/WD Workshop will take place on May 19-21 at the Gowanus Loft in Brooklyn. Each day will consist of three movement workshops led by an esteemed roster of artists followed by an evening performance. Tickets are still available and can be purchased online at www.dbwdworkshop.com. Take advantage of the early bird special now through March 31 and receive a 10% discount! Packages are available for those who want to take three or more workshops, which include a free drink and ticket for one evening performance.

Photo Credit: Mike Esperanza

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