December 5 & 6

“Ujima is an accomplished choreographer, and the founder of a radically inclusive troupe called shackled feet DANCE!.”

— Nashville Scene

Two of Tennessee’s most inspired choreographers collaborate with composers and video artists to create a double-bill of entirely original premieres merging dance, film, live music, and dynamic theatrical power. One of Nashville’s most distinct talents, statuesque performer Becca Hoback embodies her fluid, expressive choreography with mesmerizing intensity. Solus, her collaboration with composer and cellist Kaitlyn Raitz is a dance/film/music triptych that beautifully explores a search for the sacred and profound, capping off her triumphant, multi-year Sacral Series.

Celebrated choreographer and community icon Shabaz Ujima joins forces with long-time collaborator Thea Jones under the banner of shackled feet DANCE!, creating a new work entitled Synergy. Featuring a stunning group of dancers and recognizable jazz musicians, led by trumpeter, composer, and visual artist Rod McGaha, this new production breaks free from any rigid constructs to celebrate a synergy of spirited artistry. The joyous group work centers around the liberation of the body and the mind found through Black Classical Music, the term that legendary musician Miles Davis preferred for jazz music, and experiments with structured improvisations from the musicians and dancers alike. Taking us through a spectrum of emotions and dance styles, this dynamic evening from two of Nashville’s most exciting dance artists creates a space for empowerment and a reminder of the importance of personal autonomy.