The International Association of Blacks in Dance hosts 35th Annual International Conference and Festival of Blacks in Dance

The International Association of Blacks In Dance (IABD), in partnership with Hill Dance Academy Theatre (HDAT), will host its 35th Annual International Conference and Festival of Blacks in Dance, January 22- 26, 2025, at the Westin Pittsburgh located at 1000 Penn Ave, Pittsburgh, PA 15222.

The conference and festival invites Black Dance professionals, choreographers, agents, et al. to celebrate and examine the tenacity of Black dance and Black art. While magnifying accomplishments, this year’s conference and festival will also encourage the Black dance community to continue to be culture bearers and luminaries in the field.

This year’s conference theme is “The Bridges We Build: From Revolution to Legacy.” IABD advocates that Black dance is the bridge to building a legacy. From our techniques to our teachings, from our ballets to our texts, from our ancestors to our students, Black dance has upheld Black people, Black history, and Black communities.

“As International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) prepares for the upcoming conference and festival, we are excited about the opportunity to contribute to Pittsburgh’s rich cultural legacy. This Conference and Festival not only celebrates the profound impact of Black dance on America’s cultural landscape, it also highlights its vital role in shaping our collective identity,” said Dr. Natasha Moreland Spears, IABD Co-Executive Director.

“Our goal is to inspire collaboration and innovation, ensuring that the future of the dance sector reflects the diverse voices and talents that have historically been underrepresented. By coming together, we can amplify the significance of Black artistry and ensure that its contributions are recognized and celebrated,” said, Omar Ingram, IABD Co-Executive Director.

“Since its beginnings, IABD has developed national prominence and provided opportunities for the Black dance community to come together on issues important to them. I am extremely excited that Hill Dance Academy Theatre (HDAT) is co-hosting the 35th annual IABD Conference & Festival and with this honor, we now share in IABD’s legacy of preserving and promoting dance by people of African ancestry and origin,” said Ayisha Morgan-Lee, Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director, HDAT.

The conference and festival is a pioneering four-day dance experience where attendees will engage in many invaluable opportunities to expand their understanding of dance history and technique through Conference and Festival programming. IABD estimates 750-800 people from around the world will be in attendance.

Attendees will experience: 41 Dance companies performing in five showcase presentations; Community Classes; and four auditions for ages 10-18+ available to IABD members and the general public.

For information and to register, please visit https://conference.iabdassociation.org.

Lula Washington Dance Theatre- Scott Robbins, Geek With A Lens, Image credit IABD