https://ushindiniwetudanceportfolio.cargo.site Ushindi Niwetu Sun, 09 Jan 2022 10:08:42 +0000 https://ushindiniwetudanceportfolio.cargo.site en https://ushindiniwetudanceportfolio.cargo.site/PORTFOLIO-HOME Tue, 15 Sep 2020 21:48:54 +0000 Ushindi Niwetu https://ushindiniwetudanceportfolio.cargo.site/PORTFOLIO-HOME DR. LINDSAY GARY&nbsp; | &nbsp;USHINDI NIWETUPhD, MFA, MA, MPA DANCE ARTIST | SCHOLAR | EDUCATOR | CHOREOGRAPHER | DIRECTOR | DANCE WRITER <img width="1242" height="911" width_o="1242" height_o="911" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/310807d1587056aa5d53f15cb0b5971c284913c0d8fcb93bdb48fe2d69178a16/IMG_4975.jpg" data-mid="129361435" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/310807d1587056aa5d53f15cb0b5971c284913c0d8fcb93bdb48fe2d69178a16/IMG_4975.jpg" /> <img width="1242" height="1523" width_o="1242" height_o="1523" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/de3ec8c8a7701b71a781c124400e1a150d958915a647dde79fd8e0c2962508a5/IMG_4979.jpg" data-mid="129361440" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/de3ec8c8a7701b71a781c124400e1a150d958915a647dde79fd8e0c2962508a5/IMG_4979.jpg" /> <img width="1242" height="1232" width_o="1242" height_o="1232" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/161aea074afece2b226fb9541283b7f9e5e6ac013d0ddc89d7f86ffc17569245/IMG_4977.jpg" data-mid="129361438" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/161aea074afece2b226fb9541283b7f9e5e6ac013d0ddc89d7f86ffc17569245/IMG_4977.jpg" /> <img width="1242" height="1216" width_o="1242" height_o="1216" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/847e2e7ce43c8858d1f39be67c711abf5598712c0c80865201c3122f473e5baa/IMG_4983.jpg" data-mid="129361442" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/847e2e7ce43c8858d1f39be67c711abf5598712c0c80865201c3122f473e5baa/IMG_4983.jpg" /> <img width="1242" height="713" width_o="1242" height_o="713" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/563ae784f1843a6d579f99c50226738399e7443f21afb54f23c15facfd8270b3/IMG_4985.jpg" data-mid="129361443" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/563ae784f1843a6d579f99c50226738399e7443f21afb54f23c15facfd8270b3/IMG_4985.jpg" /> <img width="1242" height="1212" width_o="1242" height_o="1212" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/869c2801e535e2b2c6a72de2d15b1caa9388c7e5775b25205b55718150f8d2c0/IMG_4976.jpg" data-mid="129361436" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/869c2801e535e2b2c6a72de2d15b1caa9388c7e5775b25205b55718150f8d2c0/IMG_4976.jpg" /> ABOUTDANCE CV ARTIST &amp; TEACHING STATEMENTS MFA THESIS&nbsp; DANCE WRITING PRESS &amp; REVIEWS GALLERY https://ushindiniwetudanceportfolio.cargo.site/ABOUT-1 Fri, 05 Mar 2021 16:04:48 +0000 Ushindi Niwetu https://ushindiniwetudanceportfolio.cargo.site/ABOUT-1 ABOUT <img width="1242" height="759" width_o="1242" height_o="759" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/f69ca0fec57dab776c85d4c5a989391a86e31892ffdbfd3c16a4f3c7770ebb0a/Copy-of-FullSizeRender.jpg" data-mid="129371637" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/f69ca0fec57dab776c85d4c5a989391a86e31892ffdbfd3c16a4f3c7770ebb0a/Copy-of-FullSizeRender.jpg" />Dr. Lindsay Gary (PhD, MFA, MA, MPA), also known as Ushindi Niwetu,&nbsp;is a professor-scholar (of history, Africology/African American Studies, and dance) conceptual diasporArtist, Afrocentric entrepreneur, and cultural curator whose mission is to educate, connect, and empower the African Diaspora, with culture, spirituality, ancestry, history, and research being central themes in her work. She is the Founder and Artistic and Executive Director of Dance Afrikana LLC, a professional dance company whose mission is to create a world where people of the African Diaspora are empowered and connected through the African dance tradition. Dr. Gary has worked to situate Houston as a major center for African and Diasporic dance producing programming such as Houston Black Dance Collective, Houston Black Dance Festival, Kuumba: A Celebration of Afro-Dance, Afrikana Dance Festival, African Diaspora Dance Intensive, and Dance Afrikana, Dance Podcast. Dance Afrikana is the recipient of numerous awards from the Houston Arts Alliance and Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs including the City’s Initiative Grant (2019), two Cares Act Grants (2020), the Support for Organizations Grant (2021), and the Festival Grant (2023). A dance scholar, she is a Scholar-in-Residence for&nbsp; Rice University’s CERCL Program, leading a research project entitled “Black Dance in Texas” at the African American History Research Center Gregory Campus (formerly The Gregory School). Her MFA thesis “Re/membering Bamboula | Embodying Home,” a multimedia exploration of (d)ancestors, utilized text, genealogies, geographies, archives, and embodied re-enactment to trace and uncover one of Louisiana's oldest African dances, the Bamboula. She is also a dance writer for Dance Source Houston and Broad Street Review (Philadelphia). As a choreographer, she has been commissioned by various arts and cultural organizations. These include “In Veneration: Richard Brock,” a site-specific piece commissioned by Arts District Houston, and “Yemaya and the Flood” which was commissioned by Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. Other notable choreographic works include “Who Yo’ People?”, a dance piece which explores the rich dance traditions of Louisiana, from Bamboula to Zydeco, and Sam Houston State University’s production of the musical “Once on This Island.” She is licensed in Umfundalai, a contemporary African dance technique that comprises its movement vocabulary from dance traditions throughout the Diaspora, and was awarded the 2021 Texas Folklife Residency Apprenticeship for the study of Zydeco dance. She obtained her MFA in Dance from University of the Arts and has a dance minor from the University of Houston. She has traveled throughout Africa and the African Diaspora studying Senegalese Sabar, Horton, Puerto Rican Bomba, Afro-Brazilian, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Caribbean, traditional South African, and Congolese dance. Additionally, she’s danced with various musical artists including T-Rock Again (Trinidad), Korede Bello (Nigeria), and Solange Knowles (United States). She has received numerous awards and recognition for her work as a dance artist including becoming a Fresh Arts Space Taking Artist in Residence conducting a project entitled Dancing Home: (to) Houston and becoming a Dance Source Houston Artist in Residence which culminated in an evening-length production of her original choreography and poetry on film entitled “Eleggua.” Additionally, she graduated from the Artist INC program for artist-entrepreneurs, and developed a partnership with Young Audiences of Houston wherein she has worked as both a choreographer and playwright to bring cultural and historical educational performances to Houston’s youth, including the most recent iteration, “Historic Black Women of Texas.” https://ushindiniwetudanceportfolio.cargo.site/DANCE-CV Fri, 07 Jan 2022 17:09:04 +0000 Ushindi Niwetu https://ushindiniwetudanceportfolio.cargo.site/DANCE-CV DANCE CV Available upon request. https://ushindiniwetudanceportfolio.cargo.site/ARTIST-TEACHING-STATEMENTS Fri, 07 Jan 2022 17:09:34 +0000 Ushindi Niwetu https://ushindiniwetudanceportfolio.cargo.site/ARTIST-TEACHING-STATEMENTS ARTIST &amp; TEACHING STATEMENTS Artist StatementInspired by Katherine Dunham's theory of memory of difference, Lindsay Gary uses dance performance, dance-making, and dance education to educate, connect, and empower the African Diaspora. The creation of her work is guided by African culture, and the centrality of dance to it. She utilizes an Afrocentric approach to dance which is centered on polyrhythmic and polycentric movement, the connection to spirituality and nature, Diasporic narratives, and ultimately the African human being. Teaching Statement My teaching philosophy is centered around the fact that the dance studio/college classroom is a space for students to not only grow academically but also mentally, emotionally, and socially. It is my desire to create this type of atmosphere where students can meet their full potential and are pushed to do so. I will provide a safe environment where students are invited to share their ideas and take risks, as well as have a growth mindset. Furthermore, it is my duty as an arts and humanities professor to use art, culture, and history to challenge misconceptions and explain the realities of the present, while creating well-informed and open-minded citizens of the world. I will present the information in the most exciting way I know, so that students can grasp the concepts and apply them now and hopefully throughout their lives.&nbsp; As they engage and wrestle with new ideas and facts that may challenge them, my job is to be available and more than willing to support them. My teaching style is highly interactive, engaging students in discussion and movement-based activities. I believe that there are five essential elements that are conducive to inclusive learning. (1) The professor's role is to act as a facilitator to learning and to new ideas. (2) Classroom discussions and activities should be student-centered. (3) Technology must be incorporated into lectures and activities. (4) Assignments and assessments must be aligned and rigorous and should adequately assess growth and understanding. (5) Students should be led through discovery-based learning as well as more traditional methods. Ultimately students should develop a specific skillset in my courses. Critical Thinking Skills—to include creative thinking, innovation, inquiry, and analysis, evaluation, and synthesis of information. Communication Skills—to include effective development, interpretation and expression of ideas through written, oral, visual, and kinesthetic communication. Personal Responsibility—to include the ability to connect choices, actions, and consequences to ethical decision-making. Social Responsibility—to include intercultural competence, knowledge of&nbsp; civic responsibility, and the ability to engage effectively in local, regional, national, and global communities. Additionally, to develop an open mind when exploring the diverse dance traditions and styles from Africa and its Diaspora. Students will learn polyrhythms, polymovements, groundedness, isolations, polycentrism, and improvisational practices, while gaining knowledge about the history and culture from which these movements emerge and the influences they’ve had on other dance forms. Furthermore, upon successful completion of my course, students will create a choreographic work or an argument through the use of artistic, cultural, historical evidence; analyze and interpret primary and secondary sources when applicable; and analyze the effects of artistic, historical, social, political, economic, cultural, and global forces on the course topic. A student’s responsibility is to participate actively by reviewing course material, interacting with classmates, and responding promptly in your communication with me; read and comprehend the texts; complete the required assignments and exams; ask for help when there is a question or problem; and show up both mentally and physically to class. It is my responsibility to provide the grading scale and detailed grading formula explaining how student grades are to be derived; facilitate an effective learning environment through learner-centered instructional techniques; provide a description of any special projects or assignments; inform students of policies such as attendance, withdrawal, tardiness, and make-up; provide the course outline and class calendar which will include a description of any special projects or assignments; and arrange to meet with individual students before and after class as required. https://ushindiniwetudanceportfolio.cargo.site/MFA-THESIS Fri, 07 Jan 2022 17:10:06 +0000 Ushindi Niwetu https://ushindiniwetudanceportfolio.cargo.site/MFA-THESIS MFA THESIS Re/membering Bamboula |&nbsp;Embodying Home <img width="269" height="464" width_o="269" height_o="464" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/4695c42989dc2e1ddb1ae2b2fd4783d911783dbc46ad7253a72efe6e126350f3/2AEEC6B1-044E-4C41-92BB-B67F42CA0EBF.JPEG" data-mid="129374453" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/269/i/4695c42989dc2e1ddb1ae2b2fd4783d911783dbc46ad7253a72efe6e126350f3/2AEEC6B1-044E-4C41-92BB-B67F42CA0EBF.JPEG" /> <img width="1242" height="1611" width_o="1242" height_o="1611" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/5f714a7e47052f42d6eebef98b853ce744ad8934886fa74f5729c9cdbf905b0e/5F421323-0767-4A7A-837B-ED29818ACA46.PNG" data-mid="129374454" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/5f714a7e47052f42d6eebef98b853ce744ad8934886fa74f5729c9cdbf905b0e/5F421323-0767-4A7A-837B-ED29818ACA46.PNG" /> <img width="490" height="640" width_o="490" height_o="640" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/ba1f8c9d9ebb3d0f3beec7ea88f4e6c7a9c9d998dcde608721d9e4961b1e52e8/IMG_8674.jpg" data-mid="129374466" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/490/i/ba1f8c9d9ebb3d0f3beec7ea88f4e6c7a9c9d998dcde608721d9e4961b1e52e8/IMG_8674.jpg" /> <img width="496" height="640" width_o="496" height_o="640" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/2e3357f784a52fbd3e1125228b94542499de9c500bc4743d6070ced5022b0660/IMG_8672.jpg" data-mid="129374465" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/496/i/2e3357f784a52fbd3e1125228b94542499de9c500bc4743d6070ced5022b0660/IMG_8672.jpg" /> <img width="1191" height="872" width_o="1191" height_o="872" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/b3332f74a81d884c34be47fd47c83aa062092b5afc559ddab72a30a2ecf700fa/IMG_8417.jpg" data-mid="129374462" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/b3332f74a81d884c34be47fd47c83aa062092b5afc559ddab72a30a2ecf700fa/IMG_8417.jpg" /> <img width="964" height="1280" width_o="964" height_o="1280" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/bcef34fb734e66e5b080dff503403b28c6568df4f07c3532cd3742840b25f9b7/EEC8DFCF-AD11-4538-A781-8E564E202E91-1.JPEG" data-mid="129374458" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/964/i/bcef34fb734e66e5b080dff503403b28c6568df4f07c3532cd3742840b25f9b7/EEC8DFCF-AD11-4538-A781-8E564E202E91-1.JPEG" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/9ae869d6c86a60139a43f13e9e444458219f4644e4ec215892b56baf16be1384/46522D2F-7997-46A4-B102-524FAF5B72DB.JPEG" data-mid="129374457" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/9ae869d6c86a60139a43f13e9e444458219f4644e4ec215892b56baf16be1384/46522D2F-7997-46A4-B102-524FAF5B72DB.JPEG" /> <img width="3024" height="4032" width_o="3024" height_o="4032" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/1b4e7b16eddc0b2b35aca17e5719a4b3b5a372d93e79e5a372d65e7bc3c8bfc0/75A41F7B-F6BF-4E38-99F4-F3A74D0CC86B.JPEG" data-mid="129374456" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/1b4e7b16eddc0b2b35aca17e5719a4b3b5a372d93e79e5a372d65e7bc3c8bfc0/75A41F7B-F6BF-4E38-99F4-F3A74D0CC86B.JPEG" /> <img width="4032" height="3024" width_o="4032" height_o="3024" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/70527d439614010452dc73c4c5a2ee041a6cb0aa279562614be6099f8a560312/8B889F9D-F7E2-40E9-9B5F-D44C9711B9B0.JPEG" data-mid="129374455" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/70527d439614010452dc73c4c5a2ee041a6cb0aa279562614be6099f8a560312/8B889F9D-F7E2-40E9-9B5F-D44C9711B9B0.JPEG" /> WATCH BELOW RESEARCH AS ACTION Start the journey... https://ushindiniwetudanceportfolio.cargo.site/DANCE-WRITING Sun, 09 Jan 2022 10:08:42 +0000 Ushindi Niwetu https://ushindiniwetudanceportfolio.cargo.site/DANCE-WRITING DANCE WRITING THE RHYTHM LIVES AS THEY ENTER--REVIEW OF KALPANA SUBBARAO’S RITMO ZINDAGI(THE DANCE DISH) READ MORE PHILLY FRINGE 2020: KANGAROO ZULU DANCERS PRESENT ‘INDLAMU’(BROAD STREET REVIEW) READ MORE UH PROFESSOR PREMIERES DANCE SHOW AT HOBBY(THE COUGAR) READ MORE <img width="1241" height="1223" width_o="1241" height_o="1223" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/44af4109f8b95bdb53cba2a8f7fd9576efc5ba135b795b297f1bdf08f8491cf1/IMG_4978.jpg" data-mid="130025121" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/44af4109f8b95bdb53cba2a8f7fd9576efc5ba135b795b297f1bdf08f8491cf1/IMG_4978.jpg" /> <img width="1242" height="1212" width_o="1242" height_o="1212" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/abaec128dcd9621b7ee2712a5136339f691edf43f27f7c84cabbfe4c470acde2/IMG_4980.jpg" data-mid="130025125" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/abaec128dcd9621b7ee2712a5136339f691edf43f27f7c84cabbfe4c470acde2/IMG_4980.jpg" /> <img width="1242" height="1210" width_o="1242" height_o="1210" data-src="https://freight.cargo.site/t/original/i/43f5b5e90f14b61d917d87fbcd653890ed691cb8d8ac88f62575039c4f13114e/IMG_4981.jpg" data-mid="130025130" border="0" src="https://freight.cargo.site/w/1000/i/43f5b5e90f14b61d917d87fbcd653890ed691cb8d8ac88f62575039c4f13114e/IMG_4981.jpg" /> https://ushindiniwetudanceportfolio.cargo.site/PRESS-REVIEWS Fri, 07 Jan 2022 17:10:42 +0000 Ushindi Niwetu https://ushindiniwetudanceportfolio.cargo.site/PRESS-REVIEWS PRESS &amp; REVIEWS WAIL FilmWATCH TEXAS FOLKLIFE FEATURE: THE ZYDECO QUEEN RETURNS WITH A PRINCESS IN STEPREAD MORE CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM INTERVIEWWATCHARTS DISTRICT HOUSTON CELEBRATES BLACK HISTORY MONTH WITH VIRTUAL DANCE PERFORMANCE HONORING FIRST WARDREAD MORE 2021 TEXAS FOLKLIFE APPRENTICESHIP IN THE FOLK AND TRADITIONAL ARTS AWARDREAD MORE&nbsp; TEXAS HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES HONORREAD MORE DANCE AFRIKANA FEATURED IN FORT BEND HERALDREAD MORE DANCE SOURCE HOUSTON ANNOUNCES FALL 2020 DANCE AMBASSADORSREAD MORE PROJECT ROW HOUSES UNVEILS ROUND 50: RACE, HEALTH AND MOTHERHOOD READ MORE LINDSAY GARY PRESENTS ELEGGUA IN BARNSTORM DANCE FEST&nbsp; READ MORE CREATING SPACE FOR CREATIVE VOICESREAD MORE PRETTY CULTURED VOYAGE HOUSTON FEATUREREAD MORE DANCE SOURCE HOUSTON ANNOUNCES 2017-18 ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE READ MORE https://ushindiniwetudanceportfolio.cargo.site/GALLERY Fri, 07 Jan 2022 18:49:45 +0000 Ushindi Niwetu https://ushindiniwetudanceportfolio.cargo.site/GALLERY GALLERY COMING SOON!