Dance for Social Change Festival's Shifting Grounds
Arts New Orleans, the Audubon Nature Institute, and Dancing Grounds are hosting a public festival titled Dance for Social Change, including an event titled Shifting Grounds, at the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center.
The event highlights mental health, nature, art, and community, inviting all guests to enjoy the unveiling of new art installations.
Event Info
The 11th Annual Dance for Social Change Festival will take place from April 16 through 18 at the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center. Various events will be featured, including an unveiling of two permanent public art installations. The festival is free and features youth performances, interactive activities, and local food and art vendors.
There is one ticketed event on April 16 serving as a kick-off fundraiser from 6 to 9:30 p.m. Tickets can be secured via purchasing or RSVP online, depending on the selected event.
On Saturday, April 18 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., Shifting Grounds: A Family Day Celebrating Public Art and Dance will ensue. The art unveiling ceremony will begin at 1 p.m., with DSC youth artists performing a special choreographed dance.
The Installations
Pause Here, the Land is Speaking by Jamar Pierre
Jamar Pierre collaborated with 20 Young Artist Movement (YAM) artists to produce Pause Here, the Land is Speaking. This piece is inspired by New Orleans' wetlands and takes shape as mosaic-adorned benches and tables. This functional gathering space also symbolizes the relationship between land and community.
The piece can be found where the Audubon Louisiana Nature Center meets Joe Brown Park.
The Mirage by Trinity Barriere
Trinity Barriere produced a series of large-scale sculptures, taking form as birdhouses. They are set in a winding form, showing the intertwined nature of New Orleans East. During a citywide Community Paint Day, Barriere received input from over 200 community members to inform her designs.
The Event Hosts
Arts New Orleans is co-hosting this festival, in partnership with Audubon Nature Institute and Dancing Grounds. Arts New Orleans is a non-profit organization, officially associated with the city of New Orleans, to financially support the city's creative community.
Both the Audubon Nature Institute and Dancing Grounds are local non-profit organizations with differing methods of community outreach. The institute focuses on managing parks, conservation centers, and more. Dancing Grounds serves to maintain a public dance opportunities with opportunities for children and adults.
