CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Theater announces a free community gathering that “brings dancers, storytellers, community organizers, government leaders and activists together powerfully in the name of collective healing, heritage, resilience, accountability and unity.” Produced in collaboration with Village Well books & coffee, Project Knucklehead, and Afro Unidad, Reckoning with racism: Confronting anti-blackness in Latine culture will take place on November 7, 2024 at Village Well books & coffee from 7:00 to 10:00 pm.  The event is free but due to limited seating an RSVP is recommended.

This powerful community conversation will collectively explore the deeply rooted issues of anti-Blackness and white supremacy within Latine communities. This conversation seeks to uncover the historical and cultural factors that perpetuate these biases while highlighting paths toward healing, solidarity, and building true unity. This is an opportunity to listen, learn, and engage in the critical work of dismantling systemic oppression and fostering a more inclusive future for all. This evening will include a special performance of ¡azúcar!, live drumming, and an opportunity to practice the ancestral technologies of music, dance, and storytelling to help facilitate and cultivate our collective insight and healing.” CONTRA-TIEMPO press release

CONTRA-TIEMPO - L to R Jose Jose Arrieta, Jasmine Stanley, Ruby Morales, Alek Lopez, Edgar Aguirre, Jannet Galdamez in ¡azúcar! - Photo by Tyrone Domingo

CONTRA-TIEMPO – (L to R) Jose Jose Arrieta, Jasmine Stanley, Ruby Morales, Alek Lopez, Edgar Aguirre, Jannet Galdamez in ¡azúcar! – Photo by Tyrone Domingo.

Information about the collaborators:

Village Well books & coffee is a community-focused & impact-driven bookstore-café in the heart of Downtown Culver City currently focusing on the movement to reform the criminal justice system as it disproportionately targets people of color.

Project Knucklehead, a nonprofit organization dedicated to empowering youth and dismantling the school-to-prison pipeline by redirecting youth and equipping them with pro-social skills for self-expression.

Afro Unidad, is a Pan-African cultural kinship movement founded in 2020. Afro Unidad includes over 50 Afro Ambassadors across 14 countries, hosting global events and programs focused on Consciousness, Liberation, Healing, and Unity. Together, these collaborations emphasize our collective commitment to social justice, healing, and the transformative power of the arts.

CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Theater is a trailblazing dance company that uses its unique blend of Salsa, Afro-Cuban, and street dance to ignite social change and uplift marginalized voices. Led by visionary artistic director, Ana Maria Alvarez, alongside directors Jannet Galdamez, Ruby Morales, and Karina Zaidé Sainz, CONTRA-TIEMPO’s innovative performances, pedagogy, and engagement practices challenge the status quo and inspire communities to engage with critical social issues. Through their electrifying artistry, they aim to create a world where joy, equity, and interconnectedness thrive.

CONTRA-TIEMPO - Ruby Morales in ¡azúcar! - Photo by Robert Davezac.

CONTRA-TIEMPO – Ruby Morales in ¡azúcar! – Photo by Robert Davezac.

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WHO: CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Theater in collaboration with Village Well books & coffee, Project Knucklehead, and Afro Unidad.

WHAT: Reckoning with racism: Confronting anti-blackness in Latine culture

WHEN: Thursday, November 7th, 2024 7 pm – 10 pm

WHERE: Village Well books & coffee 9900 Culver Blvd #1B, Culver City, CA 90232

RSVP is encouraged due to limited seating. For more information and registration visit https://www.contra-tiempo.org/events/2024/11/7/contra-tiempo-project-knucklehead


Written and compiled by Jeff Slayton from information provided by Maria Garcia, Communications and Marketing Team.

Featured image: CONTRA-TIEMPO – (L to R) Ruby Morales, Maria Garcia, Kati Hernandez, Jannet Galdamez, Jasmine Stanley in ¡azúcar! – Photo by Tyrone Domingo.