Syriana Etheart: Attending Juxto Dance Performance (2-3 points)

        On November 15th, I had the opportunity to attend a Spelman Dance Theatre titled “Juxto”. “Juxto” is a play on the word juxta which means besides. At the beginning of the show, it was prefaced that this series of dances would reflect Black identity throughout slavery and into modern day, whilst blending this idea of Afro-Futurism. Overall, this show was amazing. I loved being able to support my friend who was a part of the company. I could tell that it was carefully curated and it was clear that a lot of time and energy had been poured into every aspect. 

        The first dancing act was titled “Yesterday I Felt the Sun on my Face.” This dance really stuck out to me because of the way in which the dancers moved so fluidly. Throughout the dance, each dancer would fall to the floor, struggle to get up, and then repeat the process. Additionally, there would be instances in which the dancers would form trios, and it seemed like each individual would take turns falling, while the other two helped the dancer up. I thought this was really interesting because it heavily contributed to the emotional intensity of the performance. Additionally, it made me think of the cycle of African Americans fighting. Whether it was in the battle of slavery and resistance or the civil rights movement, Afro-descendant people have always been fighting for themselves. It’s a consistent battle filled with grief and lows (just like the dancers falling and struggling to get up), but also moments of victory (just like when the dancers succeeded in standing and looked towards the sky). I also think the inclusion of the dancers being in trios also highlighted how, no matter where they were, Afro-descendant people were struggling as a collective. However, it was this collective effort (ex, through their instances of resisting by setting plantations on fire, using armed violence, slowing down the work of the plantations, etc) that allowed slavery to become unsustainable and eventually led to its end.

        Another dance I found particularly interesting was in the fourth act/dance. In this section, the dancers wore free-flowing clothing with tribal African patterns. This, of course, is reminiscent of African culture in itself. Within the dance itself, the dancers are dancing fluidly but with a real sense of purpose. They moved in sync, which I think is synonymous with the idea that they, as a collective, want the same thing (that being freedom). The background audio of this dance included ideas of freedom and mashed up the lyrics “sometimes it’s soft as a misty rain” and “lord please let it rain down on me”. I loved this blend of gospel music and more modern R&B because it showcases the evolution of Black culture and how it’s become mainstream, despite the way in which society vilifies blackness while profiting off of the culture at the same time. Towards the end of the dance, each dancer begins quoting different lines. One dancer quoted James Baldwin, saying, “the place where I can exists will not exist until I make it”. I found this to be really powerful because this has been the reality of the African Diaspora. In the time of slavery, they escaped and made their own maroon communities. They conducted sit-ins, created the Black Panther Party, and even established HBCUs during Reconstruction to fight for the creation of spaces that honored the Black community and allowed them the same social mobility granted to everyone else. These acts of resistance have allowed the Black community to flourish in the way it is now, while still continuing to fight injustices that are still present in our system (ex, the issue of mass incarceration, which the dance also touched on and acknowledged). 

       

 Overall, this dance performance was very beautiful, and I enjoyed every moment of it. I was amazed by the talent of the dancers and the meaning behind every single song. This show was truly a celebration of Black culture; it spoke to its past state and looked to the future with hope. I can’t wait for the next dance performance I can attend!