Sydnie L. Mosley Dances
Sydnie L. Mosley Dances (SLMDances) is a New York City-based dance-theater collective that works in communities to organize for gender and racial justice through experiential dance performance. SLMDances’ works engage audiences in the artistic process; their dances provoke a visceral reaction to the physicality on stage and incite conversation toward community action.
The works reflect real-life experiences central to the collective’s identities and pull focus to the stories of women and Black folks. The movement vocabulary fluidly integrates modern dance techniques and movement of the African Diaspora, while dancers frequently use their voice with spoken text and audible breath. Through dimensional compositions, specific, textured movement, humor, and character development choreographed works appeal to a sense of humanity.
The collective situates itself amongst the Harlem arts community by creating and presenting dance uptown; partnering with other Harlem artists and businesses, and focusing on community-based initiatives within Harlem. SLMDances travels for projects both domestically and internationally as relevant to the mission and interests of the collective.
As a SKY Lab resident, SLMDances will work in collaboration with music producer Ebonie Smith, visual artist Shani Peters, and quilter Dr. Kim F. Hall to create an on-site multi-disciplinary exhibition entitled: What does PURPLE sound like? In partnership with Changing the Narrative, PURPLE’s community engagements facilitate the collection of oral histories and making those stories visible.
“PURPLE is a multi-project universe that illuminates the power of “deep sisterhood for social change” through storytelling and movement. This sisterhood is how we thrive: we invest in one another, we honor and celebrate each other's brilliance, and we hold ourselves accountable to experiencing radical joy. What does PURPLE sound like? captures the radical joy in a place — public housing communities in New York City — via the stories of its decades-long residents to uncover strategies of resilience, amplify cultural traditions, and shift public discourse and policy.”
— Sydnie L. Mosley
Reach for the Sky: SLMDances collective members Jessica Lee, Stephenni Miller-Allen, Sydnie L. Mosley, Maia Bedford, Allegra Romita, A. Nia Austin-Edwards; Image Credit: ShocPhoto
