The Community Coalition on Race’s recent Integrated Art Circle dance sessions brought neighbors together through movement, music, laughter, and cultural celebration. Across multiple sessions featuring R&B Line Dancing, Caribbean Dance, and Nigerian Dance, between 30 and 60 participants gathered to learn new dances, connect with one another, and experience the joy of community through the arts.

The popular R&B Line Dance sessions, led by Zanetta Robinson-Sargent of Step 4 Step Line Dancers, drew enthusiastic crowds eager to learn new techniques, move to great music, and enjoy the many social and health benefits of dance. Robinson-Sargent has built a devoted following through more than a decade of Soul Line Dancing instruction that emphasizes both community and wellness.

The Caribbean Dance workshop invited participants of all ages to move, laugh, and connect through joyful Caribbean rhythms. Along with teaching dance steps, the instructor shared cultural and historical context about Soca music and Caribbean dance traditions, highlighting their roots in African dance and the blending of cultures throughout the Caribbean.

Interest was also high for the Nigerian Dance session with the Umuoma Dance Troupe, which quickly filled to capacity. Participants learned traditional Igbo dance movements such as egwu ukwu and egwu ogene while gaining insight into the importance of dance in preserving culture and community traditions.

These programs are part of the Coalition’s Integration Through the Arts initiative, which supports creative, sustainable communities by using the arts to bring together people of different races and cultural backgrounds and to build authentic relationships across racial boundaries.

Look for more group line dancing at this year's upcoming Juneteenth Celebration at Durand-Hedden House & Garden, Friday, June 19th, 1 - 4 pm!

The Community Coalition on Race gratefully acknowledges that this program was funded in large part by a grant from the Essex County Local Arts Program (ECLAP).