is becomes if

Date: Friday, October 29th, 2021
Location The GRAND & Livestream (map)
Duration: 25 minutes

What unfolds is an embodied invitation to the tangential — the disavowing now — to examine the space where endurance meets surrender.

Choreographer & Performer: Cindy Ansah & Tiara Matusin
Music Credits: "A Minuto (Interlude)" by Lone, The Ghost; "Everydaywehustlin" by Emeka Ogboh; "Really?" by Eddie Harris

ABOUT NAPPY DANCE COLLECTIVE

NAPPY Dance Collective is an emerging all-Black contemporary dance collective that is committed to nurturing the pursuits of Black creatives. The acronym for Not A Political Playground Y’all is derived from the word “nappy” and its historical use in progressing Eurocentric beauty standards to justify painting Black bodies as “lesser than” their white counterparts. We plan to confront and reclaim the term to describe that which is unique and invite Black creatives to unapologetically embrace their multifaceted selves. Although Black existence is inherently political, we value stylization, individuality, and humanity to display local Black virtuosity, collectivity, and diversity.

Instagram: @nappydance

CINDY ANSAH

Cindy Ansah is a dance artist, actress, writer and filmmaker based in Mohkínstsis (Calgary). As a recent graduate of the BFA in Dance program at the University of Calgary, Cindy’s current aspirations are fulfilling her roles as Co-founder and Artistic Director of the emerging all-Black contemporary dance collective Not Another Political Protest Y’all (NAPPY) Dance Collective.

Instagram: @cindy.ansah
Website: nappydance.com

TIA MATUSIN

Calgary-based dance artist and emerging choreographer Tiara Matusin extends her artistic practice to visual arts, fashion styling, photography, and videography. As the Co-founder and Artistic Director of Not Another Political Protest Y’all (NAPPY) Dance Collective, she is interested in decolonizing arts spaces and creating empowering work environments for Black artists.

Instagram: @tiaramatusin