Justice Dance Performance Project
Moving for Change Since 1989.
Dear friends,
I have been thinking a lot about freedom recently as we have watched relentless and dangerous efforts to chip away at the freedoms in our country.
As thinking, feeling, creative beings, we all have the human right to be free. The gift of democracy is to ensure the right for all of us to choose how to create our lives in the most positive and constructive ways possible.
However, this mission of democracy feels as though it’s drifting out of reach, most particularly for people of color and women. Action by courts and legislatures is curtailing freedom of choice and self-determination. Equally challenging is the threat to nature and our planet itself. How can we alter this course?
I believe that underneath this dark wave a current of positivity exists and is beginning to surface. People are resisting and calling for action in our neighborhoods, in our country, and in the world to reclaim our rights, rebuild community, and save the earth.
All of us have a choice to speak up and speak out. At JDPP, the arts are our throughline to do so, and we continue to vigorously support art-making that speaks not only to social justice in its broadest sense, but to the growth and healing of each individual to become expressive, open and constructive doers and makers.
This fall, JDPP will offer performances that spread awareness of gender, diversity, and the environment. We encourage you to join us and to think about how you can participate in a positive momentum forward. How can you best utilize and protect your power to choose?
On November 8, there is one critical way to exercise this power. That is to vote. On that day, we all have an opportunity to make a difference that could well determine the future of this country.
As we move into the fall season of transformation, let’s transform the landscape of our country and imbue it with new hope and possibility with freedom and justice for all. The choice is ours.
Coming Up This Fall:
October 16 (rain date October 23) at 3pm at Farmington River Park at 3pm In the Presence of Trees
And watch for a new Response and a Call virtual performance in November curated by Mellissa Craig and don’t forget—ELECTION DAY on November 8!
Wishing you the best,
Justice Dance Performance Project, Inc.
Moving for Change Since 1989
To mark International Day of Sexual & Reproductive Rights, now known as International Safe Abortion Day (Sept. 28), Babz Rawls-Ivy, producer of LoveBabzLoveTALK on 103.5 WNNH-LP, will host a presentation of JDPP’s signature My Body My Body (1993), restaged in 2022 with a GenZ cast, bringing fresh perspective to the piece’s infectious energy and clever gender humor. Cory Ellen Gatrall, MFA, RN will join Babz, Judy Dworin, and members of the cast and JDPP artistic team following the performance to talk about what we face now living in post-Roe America and where we go from here. Free; advance registration required: give.jdpp.org/SayItAgain
Today is #NationalVoterRegistrationDay Do your part and register or share with a friend! The last day to register to vote in CT is November 1! www.artsactionfund.org/ConnecticutVoterFactsheet
Join us for In the Presence of Trees: Autumn! give.jdpp.org/event/in-the-presence-of-trees-farmington-river/e413193
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When this happens, it's usually because the owner only shared it with a small group of people, changed who can see it or it's been deleted.Looking for a fun, free, and educational event in Hartford? Check out the 2nd Annual Hartford Harvest Festival! October 8 from 11am to 4pm!
We recently learned the sad news that Anguss Moss who worked with JDPP as a set designer and photographer in our very early years passed away earlier this year on February 10, 2022. Anguss was living in Minneapolis, Minnesota and had been battling cancer.
Anguss was an unstoppable creative-- imagining visual ideas in totally unique ways and manifesting them, often using found materials. A 300lb cast iron tub became the mold for a fiberglass tub that you see pictured below in the piece entitled Tub (1992). The tub allowed light and shadow to play with the dancer who speaks to an invisible male presence in a sound critique of the male gaze. He also transformed enormous salad bowls into a beautifully constructed moon for the JDPP classic Lulu and the Moon (1990) in which Lulu (a dog) patiently watches her master try to (hopelessly) find a way to conquer the moon. In the end of the piece, the suspended moon gently glides down to Lulu.
Anguss also was a wonderful photographer and both the Tub and the Distant Voices Coming Near (1989) photos here were captured by him.
Anguss was an insatiable maker with a robust sense of humor and, at his best, he had a verve for life, for dance and for innovation that was supported by talent and craft. His energy will be missed on this planet and may his spirit continue to keep shaping and forming the ordinary into the extraordinary in whatever ways are possible.
Beautiful tribute to a special man! And my savior on our hike in Bulgaria!
That was a nice tribute!
Very moving tribute.
Here she is our very own Dr. Judy Dworin! Congratulations on your honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree!
I was so happy to witness this! Congratulations and thank you for all that you do.
I'm so moved and happy I witnessed my niece join the class of 2026 with the inspiring words of one of the dearest people in my life, Judy Dworin! Congratulations!
Congratulations, Judy. Earned and deserved.
Congratulations, Judy. So deserving!!!
Well-deserved honor,👏👏👏!
Looking good Judy! Congratulations!
Wonderful honor Judy! Congratulations!!!
Congratulations!
Congratulations Dr. Judy Dworin! Well deserved! 💕
Fantastic, well deserved and Congratulations, Dr. Judith Dworin. Yay. You.
So well-deserved!!!
Congratulations, Judy!
Judy, i remember you so well from your performance at Wisdom House. Time flies! All the best to you.
Congratulations Judy!!
What an incredible woman! Thank you for bringing her to my attention- I signed up for her newsletter & hope to share the JDPP information with others! 👏♥️ Amazing!
Congratulations!!! ❤️
Thank you all for these wonderful messages! It was a big moment and I appreciate your lovely words. 💕😘🥰
One chance encounter can change a life! Congratulations Judy and thank you for all that you have done to earn this honor.
Awesome -congratulations Dr. Judy! 👍🥰
Bravo Judy!!! Congratulations!💗
Congratulations Dr. Dworin
Congratulations!!
Highly deserved; Auguri!
Congratulations!
Congratulations Judy! ♡
Yesterday, Judy Dworin was presented with an honorary Doctor of Fine Arts degree from Trinity College. Judy was selected to receive this degree in 2020 before the pandemic forced the postponement of that year's commencement ceremony. Below is a link to the article as well as a video of the event. Judy's honoring and speech begin at 42:30.
Trinity’s 199th Academic Year Opens with President’s Convocation and Matriculation | Trinity College
www.trincoll.edu
Trinity College welcomed new students and officially began the 2022-23 academic year during the traditional ceremony on the Main Quad.Congratulations, Judy! So well deserved! It was a privilege to attend the ceremony, to applaud your honor, and to hear your inspiring and beautifully delivered speech.
Awesome Judy Dworin program at Kinsella Magnet School back ~ 2011! Congratulations!! Well deserved!
Congratulations Judy! You are so deserving!
Congratulations! Well deserved!!👏👏
Congratulations Judy!!! So we’ll deserved! 👏🏼
Congratulations Judy!
Woo Hoo! Congratulations!
Julia Manwaring See how lucky you were to have this program at KMSPA!
Wonderful!!
Interested in being a part of DominGO Hartford? Here is your chance! Just record yourself performing a 4-count (or simply very short) movement that is uniquely you! If you want you could repeat it a few times and email your video to folkdancemixtape@gmail.com
Justice Dance Performance Project is seeking teaching artists to be part of the ‘Moving Matters!’ Residency Program. ‘Moving Matters!’ brings collaborative and innovative movement-based residencies into Greater Hartford schools.
Qualifications: A practicing artist in all movement and other performing and visual arts disciplines. Must be over 18 and willing to participate in a background check.
Preferred Skills:
-Experience teaching in educational settings (paid training also available)
-Cultural competency in working with individuals from diverse backgrounds
-Team-orientation as well as ability to work independently
-Excellent time management skills
To apply visit tinyurl.com/JDPP-MM2022 or email resume and cover letter to robyn@jdpp.org
#hartford #movingmatters #arts #hartfordarts #hartforddance #dance #education #jdpp
A filming session for My Body My Body—restaged with a new generation of powerful women speaking out for their bodies as their own. Coming Sept 16– don’t miss it.
This piece is amazing - Judy this message is so relevant cannot believe you conceived this is the early 90s!
"Ask permission, ask permission, ask permission if you please" I really like this one. 🙂
Beautiful!!
Can't wait!
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