Dear BDA friends,
Every spring it’s so lovely to see how the Boston dance community awakens from the winter routine into stunning performances, energetic workshops and classes, blooming job opportunities and inspiring grant applications. This year in particular, I feel proud to be a part of a community of artists who continue to thrive and resist amidst the chaos of the world we live in. It reminds me constantly of an artist’s role in our society.
Along those lines, I have thought long and hard and decided to step away from BDA. It was not an easy decision to make – for many reasons – but it certainly feels like the right one. This is my last week working for an organization that I aspired to work in and make change with ever since moving to Boston almost 5 years ago. I am proud to have held the organization afloat throughout a tough leadership transition, organized community focused events such as the open call auditions and dancer health days, coordinated dancewear distributions and portable floor rentals, and so much more while still maintaining all regular operations running and making sure you, our community, felt heard and attended to. I’m grateful for how much I’ve learned about the dance community and how nonprofits in general work (what is valued, who is being served, etc.). Three years after starting in a much smaller and less impactful role than what my responsibilities include now, and after gaining this invaluable experience, I’ve realized it’s my turn to step away. As the organization moves on to new stages I don’t see myself in, it feels appropriate to move in a direction that’s more aligned with my goals and visions.
What’s next? I’m not immediately shifting into another administrative position as I want to make sure my next step is intentional and not just out of a financial need. I have a clear sense of what I can offer our community and aim to do exactly that in my next role. If you’d like to hear more about my experience and/or see a gap you believe I can fill, please let me know. I will continue to be an active part of our dance ecosystem and I’m sure you’ll still see my name in places you love. Don’t be a stranger and say hi! I care very deeply about this community and will continue to advocate for what we need in every capacity I can. I want to continue supporting you and your work: please keep me in the loop!
I understand that this shift may impact many of you who have grown used to my work dynamic and have trusted me with what matters most to you and I am truly sorry for any inconvenience this new transition may cause. I’m happy to talk to you further at any point. My BDA email will likely be deactivated at the end of the week so feel free to reach out to me at csrizzo22@gmail.com.
With a deep commitment to you,
Carmen S. Rizzo
Membership & Operations Associate
P.S.: I was informed that after my departure, this newsletter will shift to a semi-monthly schedule.
While thanking our outgoing colleague Carmen Rizzo for all of her contributions to Boston Dance Alliance (BDA) during the past couple of years, BDA is excited to welcome two new staff to the Team both of who will be working on a part-time temporary basis through July 2025.
Christina Leonard will serve as the Programs & Special Initiatives Associate. In this capacity Christina will help to plan, market, and manage rentals for BDA’s brand new portable dance floor as well as BDA’s upcoming annual celebration and new community dance series (stay tuned for more info). Christina brings to this role more than two decades of experience in dance instruction, dance studio management, and dance production. Starting April 15th, you can reach Christina at cleonard@bostondancealliance.org.
Gabrielle Avena will serve as the Communications & Member Relations Associate. In this capacity Gabrielle will help to shape & manage BDA’s communications from the newsletter to social media to emails while also providing support for BDA membership including the fiscal sponsorship program. Gabrielle is graduating college senior at Amherst College, where she has supported research and communications activities for a number of university entities & publications as well as student organizations. Starting April 15th, you can reach Gabrielle at gavena@bostondancealliance.org.
At the same time, BDA is initiating a search for a bookkeeper to help record, organize, and maintain financial transactions for the organization. While sharing the full job posting, BDA invites interested candidates to email a cover letter & resume with the subject line “BDA Bookkeeper” to Executive Director Aaron Myers at amyers@bostondancealliance.org by April 30th.
BDA Member Events This Week
Join The Dance Complex for Friday Night Lights: Samba Central edition! Samba is the heartbeat of Brazil and meant to be danced in community. Treat yourself to an evening of social samba in Central Square beginning with an introductory lesson with SambaViva. Learn the basic steps or brush up on your skills to get you ready to light up the dance floor – then try it out in a welcoming party atmosphere. Friday, April 18, 6:30-8:30 PM at 536 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge. Tickets: $10.
Embark on a mesmerizing voyage through India’s cultural tapestry with Yatra: A Journey Through India, a performance that celebrates the nation’s diversity and timeless beauty. This show highlights the music and poetry of classical-era composers – drawn from a spectrum of regional languages and seamlessly integrated with the Indian classical dance forms of Bharatanatyam, Kuchipudi, and Odissi. Saturday, April 19, 2 PM & 7 PM at BU Dance Theater, 915 Commonwealth Ave., Boston. Tickets: $25-$50.
DRIFT is 4-day drawing and movement intensive based in research and skill-building designed to build up personal practices as well as strengthen a sense of collective belonging. Participants will engage in experimental markmaking exercises, work on fundamental drawing techniques from observation and a live model, and tune into inner vision. Daily movement and contact improvisation sessions will keep them flexible, help integrate the senses and open gateways to empathetic relating. Thursday, April 17-Monday, April 21 at the Field Center, 61 Williams Road, Bellows Falls, VT. Registration: $0-$650.
In an in-person showing, the trainees will showcase BDT’s recently premiered repertory work ‘Fifties’ by Jessie Jeanne Stinnett, in addition to the world premiere of a newly commissioned work, ‘Absent Threads’ by NYC-based choreographers Taylor Graham and Jerimy Rivera. Following the group works, each Trainee will perform a solo that was created with them by the Trainee Program Coaches. Please send an email to sean@bostondancetheater.com if you plan to join. Friday, April 18, 1:30 PM at The Dance Complex, 536 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge.
BCA is looking for artists who are interested in being featured in #HellaBlack Vol. 7, curated by Amanda Shea. This event will be hosted in the historic Cyclorama at Boston Center for the Arts! Artists from the Black, African, African American, Afro Caribbean and Afro Latine diaspora are encouraged to apply. The theme for this year is SHIFT: How does your art shift when your external and personal worlds are fracturing? In addition, think about what shift means to you in your artwork.
Singers, rappers, poets, dancers, musicians, and interdisciplinary artists local to Boston or the Boston metro area can apply. Artists should be prepared to present a 10 minute performance-based set and able to attend rehearsals, tech rehearsal, and the show date.
Application deadline: Sunday, April 20, 2025
Notification on or around: Friday, May 16, 2025
Tech date: Thursday, October 2, 2025
Show date: Friday, October 3, 2025
This is the last week to benefit from discounted tickets to see Alvin Ailey in Boston! Use code CR4JOY for $49 tickets at any seat!