Interact with Oral History interviews!
Dance Place received a 2020 Oral History Project Extension Grant from the Oral History Collaborative and HumanitiesDC to continue the work of preserving the oral histories of DanceAfrica, DC. The grant allowed Dance Place to capture the histories from a wider community, highlighting how DanceAfrica, DC fits into the larger scope of Dance Place’s 40-year history as a dance presenter, school and community arts center in Ward 5’s Brookland/Edgewood neighborhood.
Conducted remotely, the audio interviews below are from five individuals whose voices and legacies have been instrumental in the institutional history and growth of both DanceAfrica, DC and Dance Place.
Listen as Mama Marcia Howard, original company member of Coyaba Dance Theater and coordinator of the Coyaba Youth Academy, reflects on her life and passion for dance. Howard talks of the importance of DanceAfrica, DC and how the festival is an anchor in the community.
Listen as Donna Kearney, long-time member of the Dance Place community, reflects on her life and love of dance. Kearney talks about her performances at DanceAfrica, DC as well as DanceAfrica festivals across the country.
Listen as Denise Rollins, former Chair of the Board of Directors at Dance Place, reflects on her life and relationship to the DC African dance community. Rollins recalls the early years of Dance Place and DanceAfrica, DC and how each remains important to her life today.
Listen as Director Emerita of Dance Place Deborah Riley reflects on her life and leadership of Dance Place, as well as her legacy and what she hopes to see continue in the dance field post COVID-19 as Dance Place celebrates its 40-year history.
HumanitiesDC’s Oral History Project Extension Grant is in partnership with the DC Oral History Collaborative and supported by the DC Public Library. Dance Place’s 2020 Oral History Project will be included in the DanceAfrica, DC oral history collection in the DC Public Library in early 2021.
Click HERE and view the official Press Release to learn more.
Listen as Founding Director Emerita of Dance Place Carla Perlo reflects on her life and leadership of Dance Place, the organizing host of DanceAfrica, DC. Perlo also speaks on her legacy in the dance community and the future of dance post COVID-19.
First Phase of Interviews with DanceAfrica, DC Elders
Interviews made possible by the 2018 Oral History Collaborative Partnership Grant from HumanitiesDC.
Contact Us
Quick Links
©DancePlace 2019. All Rights Reserved. Designed by RINU
Privacy Policy / Terms of Use