SPINAL RHYTHM JAZZ
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Emmanuelle Levac-Baquero
Deepening Connection to Culture for Community
I'm on a mission to share my passion for JAZZ!
This summer I am travelling to NYC, Maryland and Louisiana to immerse myself in Black American culture which I have connections to and which nurture Jazz. I am participating in classes, collaborations and mentorship to discover ways of community building that keep my values and integrity at the forefront.
SHE'S IN A MUSIC VIDEO Y'ALL!
Makda - Witch Prophet
From the album,
DNA ACTIVATION,
Makda is inspired by the story of Queen of Sheba, origins of the Ethiopian dynasty.
Bow down...
What a day! Witch Prophet and their family were so kind and generous to have us on the beautiful land for the shoot. Choreography by Esie Mensah and performed by Esie, Chenise, Kenechi and Zahra.
FALL FOR DANCE NORTH
Chenise is performing with Holla Jazz in Margarita
Sept 30 - Oct 2 2022
info & tickets here: https://www.ffdnorth.com/programs/margarita-family-jazz
My performing and practice has changed deeply from this process with @hollajazz Finding my character, Geri Mae through clowning with Jennifer Dallas and 1-1guidance with @ravynwngz
I'm grateful to the folks who supported the process and watched the show!
Over the year it went through different iterations and performing high femme for audiences was such an eye opening experience. Of course I found inspiration in icons like Grace Jones and Betty Davis, Valerie June and many others.
The research and inspiration @tashapowellto
encouraged and supported last year solidified this character and this Jazzing(which includes acting and tapping and living on the stage and in rehearsals) forever in my being.
Holla Jazz brought Margartia to Sharing The Stage (National Ballet of Canada) in August
DETANGLING
For Dance Matters*
As a dancer growing up in Toronto I had always felt belonging as a student, but as I grew into an adult and a woman I could not find belonging as an independent artist. I went searching for this belonging a few times, but coming back home always felt right. When COVID hit, my art had the opportunity to flourish in a way that was not available before we were all forced in. Forced into our homes and into ourselves. My career/life as an independent artist and teacher became what I’ve always wanted it to be; my main thing!
*Chin retraction...
To read more click
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Click image above for
'Detangling' footage. Available here ONLY
AIN'T NO THING
Click image for EveryBODY on stage inaugural video!
Choreograqphed by EveryBODY on Stage
Their mission:
"EveryBODY on Stage aims to break down stigma and fat-phobia in the arts.
Our goal is to reduce the harm done by body dysmorphia and disordered eating on the long-term health of artists and to encourage the positive representation of all body-types on stage.
As we fight for representation, we will actively seek out voices underrepresented because of race, ancestry, place of origin, ethnicity, citizenship, creed, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, and/or family status."
