Black All Year - Dancing Through Barriers: Exploring Racial Spaces, Collaboration, and Mental Health Through Dance
Manage episode 380612902 series 3340458
I had a heart-to-heart chat with the incredible Martin Hilton, renowned dancer and dance teacher who passionately shared his journey into the world of dance. His dance story begins from his school days, where he was exposed to creative dance as a part of the curriculum, which instilled in him an appreciation for the art form. Martin's journey serves as an eye-opener to how schools can utilize themes like cricket and the West Indies to make dance appealing to both genders, challenging traditional gendered perceptions of dance.
Our conversation takes a deep turn as we tackle the subject of Black spaces and collaboration in dance. Can you imagine the relief of being in a space where your guard is completely down? We both share these experiences, recounting moments spent in predominantly white spaces and the contrast of being in Black-only spaces. We delve into the importance of collaboration in choreography and the almost spiritual connection that Black-only spaces foster.
In the final leg of our discussion, we touch on a topic that demands more attention – the mental health and alcoholism struggles often faced by Black men. Martin reveals how his dual heritage has influenced his creative expression, and how he's used this influence in his latest film. The film addresses these serious issues by featuring a Black protagonist, prompting a vital dialogue about mental health and alcohol dependency within the black community. Our chat rounds up on a reflective note about the importance of creating safe spaces for expression, emphasizing that the journey of creation is as potent as the final product. So, join us on this enlightening journey of dance, collaboration, and mental health.
Steph Edusei LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/steph-edusei/
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Original music by Wayne C McDonald, #ActorSlashDJ
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1. Black All Year - Dancing Through Barriers: Exploring Racial Spaces, Collaboration, and Mental Health Through Dance (00:00:00)
2. Black All Year (00:00:09)
3. Black Spaces and Collaboration in Dance (00:15:43)
4. Alcoholism and Black Men's Mental Health (00:25:15)
5. Dance and Performance in Challenging Topics (00:44:00)
30 episoder