Reviews

An unseen person holds a colorful event flyer over a wooden surface alongside a DJ turntable an a pair of black sneakers. Vibrant and dynamic, the flyer depicts a sunset city skyline in the background and a breaker, wearing a teal patterned shirt and cargo pants, frozen in mid-air performing an impressive freeze. The title “End of Summer Jam” is boldly displayed in graffiti-style red lettering with the subtitle “1 vs 1 Breaking Battles” below it in black on yellow. The left side of the flyer is red and contains event details, including the date (08•17•25), time (Doors 3PM), and entry fee ($10). It also lists the venue — Philly Movements Dance Company in Philadelphia, PA — and mentions a $200 grand prize. Additional info includes the DJ (Jey Prime), the judges (Fierce One, B-Girl Gloh, and Mikey), and the host (Wrath of Khan). The overall design is energetic and urban, capturing the spirit of a Philadelphia breakin' competition.
Image: Jey Prime
  • Reviews

End of Summer Jam: Honoring Tradition Through Breakin’ in Philadelphia

Emily “Lady Em” Culbreath

End of Summer Jam preserves long-standing Hip Hop tradition with local flair.

Cassandra gazes up at the dagger she holds up to the heavens. Her face is bathed in light as she lunges towards the dagger, one arm and leg extending away. Behind her is a large framed classical portrait, Ajax and Cassandra by Solomon Joseph Solomon. Ajax, naked and muscled carries Cassandra away from the Temple of Athena while she reaches back to it.
Photo: Andrea C. Mecchi
  • Reviews

This is WOAR: a Dance of Survival, a Call to Action

Lauren Berlin

From God to Predator: CASS by Humble Materials Reframes the Apollo Narrative

Photo: Richard Termine
  • Reviews

Applause like waves of love

Megan Mizanty

Desire, vulnerability, and a slew of frogs.

A black graphic with large blue lettering that spells NFRW/T across the center. The word overlays a yellow triangle with images of a bird, cat, and serpent with human figures layerd over them are placed at each corner of the triangle. The subtext reads “Neferu”, “Neferet”, “adj. Egyptian”, “good beautiful perfect”, “Ankole, a BIPOC, queer proud circus”, as well as subtext giving details of the production.
Image Courtesy of the Artist
  • Reviews

Good, Beautiful, Perfect, Black, Indigenous, Queer

Caitlin Green

A sacred message well-received

ora chipaumire, a black woman with short hair and the creator of Dambudzo, is in the foreground wearing a black t-shirt and singing into a microphone with her eyes closed as another cast member sings into the background, amidst several audience members.
Photo: Jonathan Stein
  • Reviews

Chi Buku

E. Wallis Cain Carbonell

“We know all about you. You are here to know about us.”

Performer Daisie Cardona, dressed in a black long-sleeved top and black yoga pants with a blue and white patch on one leg, stands facing a building. Seen from behind, she holds the Honduran flag behind her. The flag pole rests on her shoulder.
Photo: Daisie Cardona
  • Reviews

Earnest beauty

Ellen Miller

Daisie Cardona’s love letter to Kensington shines.

There is a black grassy horizon line and a mostly full red moon rising. In the circle of the moon is a young black woman in a short sleeve white shirt and a black vest. Her Right arm is raised so her hands can frame above and below a small upside down american flag. She wears a circus style top hat and a mask over the bottom half of her face that is a clown's wide smile.
Photo Courtesy of the Artist
  • Reviews

Not all pulled back lips are smiles

Megan Mizanty

Let the past be an enduring reminder…

Tables and chairs form a “U” shape to the left of the photos frame. One person with brown skin and glasses is visible through the negative space of two onlookers facing away from the camera. Bystanders stand or sit in the distance.
Photo: Miryam Coppersmith
  • Reviews, Write Back Atchas

Realness For the Patrons – Rennie Harris Beautiful Humans Lies: Chapter 4

Noel Price-Bracey

Waiting for the Rhythm and the Funk

A mischievous joy permeates the image, as one performer with blunt black bangs seems to cheer with an open-mouthed grin, shoulders reaching up to her ears. To her left, another stands gazing at her, with a grin just as wide, but a tad more sinister, an open jazz hand covering her face. Behind the first is a taller person with a yellow bow, tucking something into the first performer’s black-and-white luxury jumpsuit.
Photo: Lance Reha
  • Reviews

From the Studio: “MAYDAY” with Grace Tong

ankita

“MAYDAY” resists assimilation through self-producing.

A male presenting figure is laying , hogtied and topless on the black stage floor. Muscly, oiled, topless, bald white men strut past him in the space.
Photo: E. Wallis Cain Carbonell
  • Reviews

Variation on a Body-Slam

E. Wallis Cain Carbonell

There is a version of this where Bill Goldberg is the base of my desire.