Events at Reed

Grimes comin' through to dance within the following question: what does she/he/they/it mean to show and prove, given the social-political, cultural, real, and virtual, as well as the performance contexts that black vernacular dance practices take place? The combination of showing and proving provide a deliberate and specific call to action. In response to this call a practitioner, and/or cultural participant, creates an opening for meaning (cultural, personal, individual, collective, etc.), to be inscribed on/with the body and in/with the ether. An infinite field of possibilities is shaped into a moment of revelation encompassing what is seen and unseen, therefore, in an attempt to actualize and manifest the thought stated in the previous sentence, Grimes plans to share further contemplations. This event is part of d. Sabela Grimes’ guest artist in residency at Reed, supported by the Reed dance department, Weitkamp and Mellon Fund for Dance Programming. d. Sabela Grimes, a 2014 United States Artists Rockefeller fellow, is a choreographer, writer, composer and educator, whose interdisciplinary performance work and pedagogical approach reveal a vested interest in the physical and metaphysical efficacies of Afro-diasporic cultural practices. His Afribiquitous dance theatre projects like World War WhatEver, 40 Acres & A Microchip, BulletProof Deli, and ELECTROGYNOUS, consider invisibilized histories and grapple with constructed notions of masculinity and manhood while conceiving a womynist consciousness. He created and continues to cultivate a movement system called Funkamentals that focuses on the methodical dance training and community building elements evident in Black vernacular and Street dance forms. Previously, Grimes coauthored and performed as a principal dancer in Rennie Harris Puremovement's award-winning Rome & Jewels. An assistant professor at University of Southern California, Grimes received a BA in English and an MFA in dance from UCLA. Reserve your free tickets.