Friday, November 13th @ 6:30-8PM
ASL Dance Movement: Where the Body moves as a way to communicate
Teacher: Antoine Hunter
Style: ASL Dance
Level: All Levels
Location: Joe Goode Annex, SF
Register for Class
Class Description
This dynamic and welcoming workshop explores American Sign Language as a powerful source of dance, rhythm, storytelling, identity, and creative expression.
Led by award-winning Deaf choreographer Mx. Antoine Hunter, also known as PurpleFireCrow, and assisted by Zahna Simon, participants will learn expressive ASL vocabulary and transform those signs into full-body movement and choreography. The class explores handshapes, facial expressions, gestures, body isolations, spatial pathways, visual rhythm, vibration, breath, energy, and emotional storytelling.
Participants will discover how movement can communicate beyond sound and how ASL can become a living, visual form of dance. Everyone will be encouraged to move with confidence, embrace their unique identity, and allow their personal truth to shine.
This workshop is open to the public and welcomes Deaf, hard-of-hearing, Disabled, and hearing participants of every body type, gender identity, sexual orientation, and cultural background.
No previous dance or ASL experience is required. Come ready to move, connect, create, and let your body speak!
About the Teacher
Oakland native Antoine Hunter, also known as PurpleFireCrow, is an award-winning, internationally recognized Black, Indigenous, Deaf, and Disabled choreographer, dancer, actor, instructor, speaker, producer, and Deaf advocate.
Hunter creates opportunities for Deaf, Disabled, and hearing artists and produces Deaf-accessible cultural events. He founded Urban Jazz Dance Company in 2007 and the Bay Area International Deaf Dance Festival in 2013.
In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hunter founded #DeafWoke in July 2020. This online talk show amplifies the experiences of BIPOC Deaf and Disabled people as a force for cultural and social change. For additional information, please visit www.realurbanjazzdance.com
Please pre-register to take a class. The first 30 pre-registered people to show up will get to take class.
What should I bring?
• Danceable clothing that you’re comfortable in!
• We recommend taking class barefoot or in socks, some styles in clean sneakers
• Water bottle
Accessibility:
The class venue, The Joe Goode Annex, is ADA compliant and equipped with two private gender-neutral restrooms.
To ensure a comfortable environment for all participants, we kindly request refraining from using scented products in our classes.
In response to COVID-19, we strictly adhere to guidelines from state and city authorities, prioritizing the safety of our community. Masks are optional in our classes, following current regulations.
If you have any concerns about meeting your accessibility needs, please reach out to us at boe@kristindamrow.com or fill out this anonymous form.
BOE Community Agreements:
• Sharing names and pronouns of each person in the space.
• Come as you are. Be the best advocate for yourself in class that you can be.
• Strive to maintain an open mind and sense of curiosity.
Striving for a harmonious and equitable dance space:
To us, equity signifies empowerment through respect, fairness, and unwavering support for all, ensuring that every individual is seen, heard, and valued. We recognize that mutual dignity and respect between each individual is vital to and promotes a healthy, productive, and harmonious space to dance. Collectively, individually, and responsibly adhere to this ideal.
At Bodies of Empowerment, we value making movement accessible to everyone, celebrating diverse bodies of all abilities and ages in our inclusive spaces. Equity is core to our teaching philosophy, emphasizing shared leadership and amplifying individual voices in the classroom. We recognize cultural diversity through physical expression, embracing all dance forms as a means to connect us through movement.