INTANGIBLE ROOTS
EVENTS
Rooting Uprooted ZOOM COURSE
Unveiling the True Roots of Jazz Dance. Using the 2020 jazz dance documentary, Uprooted, as a jumping off point to further an understanding of the roots of the form, we will embark on a critical analysis of foundational people, forms, steps, stories, history, and contributions of the Black creatives and pioneers mentioned and overlooked by the film. We will allow for conversation surrounding many of the incomplete talking points in the film as well as work to correct misinformation and reveal the authentic forms of jazz dance, contrasting them with the codified, appropriated styles featured in the film and commonly taught today. Explore the continuum of jazz dance from the 1920s through the 1970s-80s, gaining a deeper understanding of its evolution, cultural significance, and why it’s called jazz dance.
UNLOCKED INTERNATIONAL DANCE EDUCATION CAMP
UNLOCKED International Dance Education Camp fully focused on Hip Hop & African Street Styles. An honor to welcome Prof. E. Moncell Durden to the UNLOCKED dance education camp, with a screening of his documentary Everything Remains Raw and a talk/discussion afterwards.
2024 INTANGIBLE ROOTS MINI INTENSIVE
On Saturday, March 16, 2024 from 6 PM to 10:30 PM E. Moncell Durden taught a mini intensive at PMT House of dance in New York City which consisted of three classes:
Funk and Soul Dance
Beyond the Steps/NYC Aesthetics of House
Lecture: Chronicling Cultural Practice
2024 INTANGIBLE ROOTS ONLINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CLASSES PILOT COURSE
In February 2024, INTANGIBLE ROOTS Pedagogical School offered online professional development classes.
2023 INTANGIBLE ROOTS SUMMER INTENSIVE
From May 31st-June 2nd, 2023 INTANGIBLE ROOTS’ Professor E. Moncell Durden hosted a Professional Development Summer Intensive at USC’s Glorya Kaufman School of Dance. Special Guests included: Amy O’Neal, Liezel & Johnathan Lorico, Michelle Gibson, Chester Whitmore, Latanya Tigner, Cricket, Sabela, Ynot, and Lisa La Touche.
2023 INTANGIBLE ROOTS BLACK 2 MY ROOTS: BLACK HERITAGE CELEBRATION
During February, 2023 INTANGIBLE ROOTS granted access to 7 films throughout the month to celebrate the history and heritage of dance and music culture in America. This year films were accessible for the entire month of February!
2023 INTANGIBLE ROOTS ONLINE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT CLASSES BLACK TO MY ROOTS
In February 2023, INTANGIBLE ROOTS Pedagogical School offered online professional development classes. This Four Part Course was be an exploration of the cultural modalities of Africanist aesthetics in American culture. The modules included:
How to Analyze Dance on Film
Belonging and Identity
Rhythm & Representation
Aesthetics of Kool
2022 INTANGIBLE ROOTS FILM FESTIVAL
During February, 2022 INTANGIBLE ROOTS played 6 films throughout the month to celebrate the history and heritage of dance and music culture in America.
2021 ZOOM LECTURE: THE BIRTH OF SOUL MUSIC PART I & II
In December 2021, E. Moncell Durden took to ZOOM to lecture of the Birth of Soul Music in two parts.
2021 INTANGIBLE ROOTS ONLINE SUMMER SESSION
During the summer of 2021 INTANGIBLE ROOTS held a virtual Summer intensive that combined both lecture based material and embodied practices. Participants were reminded that INTANGIBLE ROOTS is an intense, amazing, thought-provoking journey and were asked to lean into challenges, enlightenment, exhilaration, and transformation.
2020 INTANGIBLE ROOTS SESSION II
In November and December of 2020 INTANGIBLE ROOTS took to ZOOM to further explore the History & Heritage of Black Dance and Culture from it’s first ZOOM session that summer. Participants dove deep into African American dance as an embodied cultural practice and art form. This course will illuminate personal and cultural dynamics of ethnic diversity. Four Sessions were offered with a culminating screening of E. Moncell Durden’s documentary film: Everything Remains Raw.
2020 INTANGIBLE ROOTS SESSION I
uly of 2020 INTANGIBLE ROOTS took to ZOOM to explore the Heritage of Black Dance, Culture, and people. Four Sessions were offered as part of the series:
The Ring Shout
Ethnic Notions: Blackface, Black-Hair & Black Awareness
Beyond the Movement
Shaking the Dust