This is an afternoon of sharing, information, and talking. It will be comprised of three parts and artistic interventions: History of Site and Memory, Story of Blackness and Downtown Dance, and How to Navigate the Platforms.

Participants include: Lydia Bell, Cynthia Copeland, Emily Johnson, Kristin Juarez, Thomas J. Lax, Nia Love, Ernest Julius Mitchell, Jeannine Otis, Ali Rosa-Salas, Radhika Subramaniam, Judy Hussie-Taylor, Reggie Wilson, Eva Yaa Asantewaa, and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar.

11:45-12pm: Opening Ceremony by Eva Yaa Asantewaa, followed by a “light love feast.” Ceremony will begin promptly at 11:45am!

12pm: Welcome and Introduction

12:15-1:30pm: History of Site and Memory will investigate the history of St. Mark’s Church and the intersections of site, memory, and religion. With Radhika Subramaniam, Ernest Julius Mitchell, Cynthia Copeland.

1:45-3pm: Story of Blackness and Downtown Dance asks participants to share their experiences of making dance downtown, and how thoughts on blackness have shaped their dance-making and kinesthetic investigations of site and history. Moderated by Ali Rosa-Salas, with Thomas J. Lax, Nia Love, and Jawole Willa Jo Zollar.

3-3:30pm: Emily Johnson Performance Offering

3:30-4:45pm: How to Navigate the Platforms will approach the conceptual and practical aims of Danspace Project’s prior Platforms, developing a navigating tool for Dancing Platform Praying Grounds: Blackness, Churches, and Downtown Dance. With Judy Hussie-Taylor, Reggie Wilson, Lydia Bell, and Kristin Juarez.