Embodied Portals: A Dance Workshop with Kendra J. Ross

In this movement-based workshop led by Kendra J. Ross, participants will investigate the journey from object to memory to movement through a collaborative Sankofa process. Sankofa, a Ghanaian Akan term, speaks of looking back in order to understand how to better move forward. Starting with the grounding objects of PORTALS—candy, mirrors, water vessels, and bags—we’ll explore personal memories, stories, and sensations connected to these objects and translate them into mini dances intended to help us process, understand, and transform. These dances may become part of the video installation and/or final presentation of the Session.

PORTALS: Traversing Black Continuums is presented as part of Recess’s Session program, that provides artists the resources, space, and support to realize ambitious projects in collaboration with the public.

Access Note: All program space at 46 Washington Avenue is fully accessible for wheelchair users. Our restrooms are gender-neutral and ADA-compliant. Administrative offices are located up one flight of stairs, but we offer alternative meeting and workspace on the ground floor. For programs in both of our spaces, we will do our best to accommodate requests. If you have specific access questions or needs, please email [email protected].

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About the Artist

Kendra J. Ross is a proud Detroit native working as a dancer, choreographer, teaching artist, facilitator and community organizer in Bed-Stuy, Brooklyn. As a dancer in New York City, Kendra has worked with Urban Bush Women (UBW), Andrea E. Woods/Souloworks, Ase Dance Theater Collective, Monstah Black/ Motion Sickness, MBDance, Moving Spirits Dance Company, RAKIA!, Melanie Green, Movement of the People Dance Company and as a guest artist with Oyu Oro. Kendra completed a European tour dancing with Adira Amram and DJ Kid Koala in Vinyl Vaudeville 2.0 and performed with Gyptian at the MTV Iggy awards. Kendra’s choreographic work has been presented at the Florida A&M University, the off Broadway show 7 Sins, Museu de Arte in Salvador, Brazil, Dixon Place, Ailey Citigroup Theater, Actors Fund Theater, and Mark Morris. She has been an Artist in Residence at Brooklyn Studios for Dance, Bates College, Marymount Manhattan, and The Neighborhood Project Through 651Arts, a BAX Space Grantee, and a Visiting Artist at Atlantic Center for the Arts. She was recently the 2022 Inaugural BedStuy Artist in Residence at The Laundromat Project and a Jerome Hill Artist Fellow. Along with sharing her art world-wide, Kendra serves as a Facilitator with UBW’s BOLD (Builders, Organizers, and Leaders Through Dance) network and the Founder/Director of STooPS Art & Community that uses art as a catalyst to strengthen ties between different entities in Bed-Stuy. STooPS has been featured as the New York Times Best of Dance/Best of the Street, New12, Pix 11, NY1, and Bare Feet with Mickela Mallozzi.

www.thekendrajross.art

Host or Publisher Recess