Spelman's Juxto Dance Performance: The Power of Expression (3 points)

     The show was a powerful journey through energy, life, peace, grace, fulfillment, and creativity. It began with dancers embodying the realities of slavery and the weight of our ancestors’ experiences. Watching them move through “Mercy (Say a Prayer)” felt like witnessing generations speak at once, each dancer showing a fight to live and a determination to overcome. As the performance shifted, the atmosphere exploded into brightness and endurance, celebrating the strength of Blackness. The Afrofuturistic inspirations from Black Panther, Missy Elliott, and Ciara imagined a world where Black creativity has no limits. The African contemporary choreography captured fearlessness and authenticity, and the line “When will it be time to step fully into our power, not halfway, not with apology?” felt like a direct challenge to step into the fullness of who we are. James Baldwin’s reminder in the act, “The place where I can exist will not exist until I make it,” echoed throughout the movement.

    The pride in Black excellence was unmistakable. “You don't have to be Black to be excellent, but to be excellent, you must be Black,” spoke to how deeply creativity and innovation are tied to our culture. The supernova-inspired act amplified that by celebrating individuality and the confidence that comes from embracing our Blackness. The tribute to the roots of Black dance reminded me of our discussions in ADW 111 about how Black cultural traditions survive and transform across time. The act set to “I Can't Stand the Rain” highlighted how deep those roots run and how dance becomes both memory and liberation.

    The final act confronted the realities of prisons and plantations and how they still mirror each other today. The dancers showed resistance, exhaustion, and the refusal to give up despite systemic barriers. Their undressing at the end raised questions about fear, vulnerability, and the illusion of safety. It connected directly to ADW themes about identity and survival and how Black people navigate a world that was never designed for us. In the end, the show was more than a performance. It was a reminder that despite everything, we continue to thrive, imagine, resist, and create. It affirmed the beauty of Black existence and why stepping fully into our power is both necessary and deserved.

Taryn Allen Co'29