Welcome to Dance Rhetoric, where we explore the journey of movement with Dance Artists.
Dance Rhetoric celebrates the art of invention, arrangement, style, message, and delivery through a movement artist's journey in dance culture. The dance journalism podcast hosted by Romonica Stephens, explores dance as an intellectual practice, the influence of its cultural pioneers and the new generation while highlighting the vitality of movement as a wellness practice in the current zeitgeist.
Welcome the original Queen "Diva" of Soul Train. Damita is a valuable part of dance history who opened doors for street-style dancers to showcase their talent to the world. She broke barriers as a ballerina and street-style dancer during the Civil Rights Movement.
We met at Lula Washington Theatre and talked about how her life as a ballerina led to performing on Soul Train & American Bandstand, knowing your value, working with the elite, and the importance of learning the business side of the industry + more!
Check out Damita's Dancer Jo Foundation
5 Dec 2019
S2 Ep.07 PASSION | Courtni Poe
Courtni is a compassionate leader of the new generation. Her unique approach to fear has created a groundbreaking journey to her life’s purpose.
We caught up at Highland Park in Los Angeles and talked about her transition from Nashville to LA, navigating industry pressure, respecting the pioneers in dance culture, and more!
Photography credit: Alex Cole
24 Nov 2019
S2 Ep.06 BRAVE | Shea
Shea is a brave heart with an eclectic soul who is always ready for discovery and paving new ways for the dance culture to thrive. She is an artist not in it to win it. She lives it by ushering the way for the Icons, Legends, Pioneers, and the new generation.
We caught up in our home town Santa Cruz and talked about her treasured experiences as Chief Operating Officer of OTA Entertainment mini ball series, Waack Fest India, Ballroom, and more.
Photography credit: Anna Linetskaya
22 Oct 2019
S2 Ep.05 FOCUS | Shinobi Jaxx
An educator and creative empowering the youth in her community to take accountability in self-love and respect for others through dance arts.
We talked about her influence on young women in her role as the director of Mixd Ingrdnts & Mini Mix’d dance company, opening for Amy Poehler at Cluster Fest, her definition of focus, and more!
Photography by: Anthony Mogli
26 Sept 2019
S2 Ep.04 FREEDOM| Sir Joq
He is the example of living his divine truth. When the noise of society tries to silence his artistry, he shows up and shows out even louder.
We caught up at Mission Dance Theater and talked about Vogue & Tone, manifesting his reality TV show, meeting Billy Porter, what it means to be free, and more!
9 Sept 2019
S2 Ep.03 INNER RADIANCE | Leslie Andrea Williams
I It is Leslie's zealous approach to life that has allowed her to experience her wildest dreams. Leslie is taking her career to new heights with natural talents, elite dance training as a Juilliard graduate, and Martha Graham Dance Company performer.
We had the pleasure of catching up at Washington Square Park in New York City and talked about our favorite wines, her role in Martha Graham's 'Diversions of Angels' ballet piece, and what fuels her inner radiance.
Photography source: Martha Graham Dance Company
14 Aug 2019
S2 EP. 02 PEACE| Packrat
Packrat is a unicorn with many hats moving to her rhythm and rules in the commercial industry. Her magical and enchanting spirit will gift you with wisdom that is rare to find.
We talked about her voyage from Jersey to LA, protective hairstyles between jobs, and her ingredients to living a peaceful life.
6 Aug 2019
S2 EP.01 ALIGNMENT | Gidnasty
Gideon is paving the way for young B-boys & B-girls throughout the Bay Area community. He teaches the foundation, history, and styles of traditional B-boying to identify its essential elements and learning its relationship to dance culture.
I got to catch up with him before he departed for Ghana to teach dance for the summer. We talked about his B-Boy influences, his crew Oakland Originalz and what sparked his viral James Brown air split moment.
THE SOCIAL CENTERPIECE
Last Friday during happy hour, it was a casual good time getting to know Will, Reggie and Rod, the founders of Rams & Parrots. Off-air we didn’t have your typical dry conversation, I got to know them on a personal level and learned about their love for family, community and friendship.
What I admired the most about them is their commitment to being significant fathers while balancing life and the R&P business. There is no doubt in my mind they will be in a position to pass the Rams & Parrots legacy down to their children towards generational wealth.
R&P is not your typical whiskey, this is a classic beverage that you sip, chill and have forward thinking conversations. In this episode we talked about the Rams & Parrots experience, creative process of coming up with the flavor and what inspires them.
#DrinkResponsibly
26 Nov 2018
S1 Ep.08 José Gutierrez - Xtravaganza | Foundation of Vogue
It was a cozy Saturday night at Rhythma Movement Arts Studios, trying to mirror intricate shapes from one of the pioneers of the Vogue José Gutierrez, Father of the House of Xtravaganza.
During his Vogue workshop, he said, “no one is was left behind in my class.” Every student in the room was gifted with a new discovery about themself.
The next day I caught up with José and talked about his journey from Ballroom to Madonna’s Blonde Ambition Tour and beyond. I was on a cloud sitting by the edge of the bed in his hotel room watching the history of Vogue.
Photography credit: Johnny Rozsa
13 Nov 2018
S1 Ep.07 - Anthony Burrell | Opening doors for the Atlanta community
On October 28th I spent a Sunday afternoon gaining knowledge at the 3 Kings Master Series discussion panel at Anthony Burrell Center for Dance (http://anthonyburrell.org/home/) in Atlanta, GA. There was so much love in the studio that it felt like home.
Burrell expressed at the discussion panel, “I am here for you guys, as a friend and confidant.” And he gracefully opened his arms to the students and parents in the Atlanta dance community for a 3-day session with elite performers, Lorraine Fields, Frank Gatson, and Chris Grant.
I had a humbling experience catching up with him to discuss what sparked to open his own company, dance education and the importance of being vain as a dancer to be comfortable one's own skin.
I have enjoyed a series of Heel Talk experiences within the past two years, that have inspired me to chase my own visions. Founded by Tasha B., Heel Talk is more than dance. It’s about women inspiring each other to be the best version of themselves, in heels of course! I have attended the Ladies Night Out event, Heel Talk Connection and Private Dance session. At Ladies Night Out I was free and unapologetically embracing my feminine side. At Heel Talk Connection, I networked with a purpose in a room of ambitious women from all walks of life. When I took my first private dance session, I accepted my weaknesses and became best friends with my flaws.
As women, we go through so many emotional transitions in our life and having a space like Heel Talk for women is a reminder of how powerful we are when we uplift each other. In this episode, we talked about staying spiritually connected, personal goals, and her journey with Heel Talk LLC.
Photo credit: Nikon Don Harris
13 Oct 2018
S1 Ep.05 Gisella Ferreira | Living Samba Soul
It was a breath of fresh air spending the week with my good friend Gisella Ferreira in Venice, La where she teaches Samba, Zumba and directs her own Samba Soul Dance Company! Every night in class was a release and rebirth of self-expression into becoming the woman I want to be. The best part of this experience was connecting with the women of Samba Soul, who come from all journeys of life to dance Samba as a way of healing.
Pure positive vibes, smiling faces, and sweat dripping down the arch of our backs. Gisella gave us unity, power, and knowledge of her Brazilian culture by teaching us the meaning of Samba music and movement.
In our sit down Gisella expresses her love for Samba, turning failure into lessons and her experience at Rio Carnival! Check it out!
Photo credit: Pikalindo
13 Oct 2018
S1 Ep.04 Guerdley & Brat | Queen Moves speaks on The Female Narrative
Before I departed New York, I had the pleasure of catching up with the founders of Queen Moves (http://www.queenmoves24.com/) Guerdley & Brat at Peridance Capezio Center (http://www.peridance.com/). Since our encounter at The Galen Hooks Method (http://www.galenhooks.com/train/) NYC Intensive back 2017, we stayed connected and I've enjoyed watching them flourish through their commitment to friendship and the Queen moves movement.
These two are the most down to earth human beings you'll ever meet! You will learn how they connected online, what inspired Queen Moves and how to support women’s inner queendom.
Photo credit: Joey Rosado
13 Oct 2018
S1 Ep.03 Omari Wiles | African Movement & Musicality
Omari’s (https://www.instagram.com/omari_wiles/) class is a space of spiritual healing. His vocabulary in dance is stemmed from his African background in Senegalese and Mali.
In every class session, Omari breaks down the movements, history, and musicality that his style of dance comes from, to conceal foundation.
After his West African class at Peridance Capezio (http://www.peridance.com/), we talked about the importance of African dance influence and breaking the habits of students relying on hitting the "crash" to train their ears to hear the music effectively.
Photo credit: Christopher Duggan
13 Oct 2018
S1 Ep.02 Jessica Castro | Giving back with Lipstick Diaries
Jessica Castro's (https://www.instagram.com/iliajessicacastro/) Absolute Beginner Heels Class at Alvin Ailey Dance Theater (https://www.alvinailey.org/) was magical. Jessica magically uncovered our power in heels. Castro helped us understand how to find our center, classic lines, walks and ended classy choreography to "Darling Nikki" by Prince.
After class, Jessica Castro and I talked about her part in giving back to the dance community, exploitation of women and why she created Lipstick Diaries NYC (http://www.lipstickdiariesnyc.com/)produced by women and taught by women.
Photo credit: Julien Benhamou
8 Oct 2018
S1 Ep.01 Buddha Stretch | Hip-Hop Foundation
I was excited to take a class from Hip-Hop pioneer Buddha Stretch at Broadway Dance Center's Hip- Hop Foundation Series! In his two-part session, we learned Hip-Hop foundation, transitions, and technique!
After class, I asked him about the importance of foundation and how to build your own style as a dancer. Check out his feedback and take note!
Photo source: broadwaydancecenter.com
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