At Pones, we use our bodies to speak our minds and believe dance is a powerful tool to amplify and explore issues of social justice and transformation. MOVE started as a response to the protests that began in the summer of 2020, and originates from the long-term systemic racism that permeates our culture and justice system. With the knowledge that there is more than one way to put our bodies on the front lines, we created a platform for Performances & Collaborations, entitled MOVE. MOVE harnesses Pones’ history of creating art for social justice in order to facilitate and fund the work that independent artists need to share, now.
Experience MOVE
MOVE is centered around BIPOC (black, Indigenous and people of color) communities and artists. It consisted of dance-infused works by BIPOC actors, spoken word artists, musicians and dancers. The pieces will be performed live and for free in public. Past performances include:
Do U Need Love?
On August 22, the fifth installment of MOVE, “Do U Need Love?” focused on persevering through depression and uplifting one another through heavy times. Created by Savannah Sexton “ThinkSavy” and performed by Ndailor Sheriff, Asia Harrison, Haydyn Lillian Jackson, and Zoe Isabella Swope.
Of Nina
Held on July 31, “Of Nina” was a new work by spoken word and movement artist Teisha Murray featuring Pones dancers, Chantée Jordan, Carroll Wallace, and Apria Thomas. The piece is an Homage to Nina Simone, and is a commentary on the dangers of celebrating oneself, when that self is not celebrated by society at large. To boldly take center stage while also navigating the parts of you that have been imitated or fetishised by that very same society. And to do so without apology.
Say Their Names
The first installment of MOVE, Say Their Names was a 10-minute piece performed on Wednesday, June 17th in locations throughout the city featuring Burgess Byrd, Ashley Morton, Darnell Pierre Benjamin, Nyjul Byrd, Ernaisja Curry, and Montez Jenkins.
In 2016, Pones collaborated with Michael Burnham on a dance/spoken word piece performed beneath the mural that memorializes the death of our planet’s last living carrier pigeon. Now it’s 2020 and here we are, again, mourning the loss of precious lives, knowing for sure we can’t dance away our pain, hoping our pain will guide us to a better future. We refuse to forget. We vow to move forward.
I’m Not Angry
Performed by Amari Samya, “I’m Not Angry” is the second installment of MOVE—a new platform for artists, performers, and collaborators to use their unique voices to raise awareness, to protest, to connect, to raise the vibration, to heal, and to fully explore the collective outcry we are all part of together.
Growth Equity Empower
Located on the corner Vine and Green street in Over-the-Rhine, “Growth Equity Empower” is the third installment of MOVE—a new platform for artists, performers, and collaborators to use their unique voices to raise awareness, to protest, to connect, to raise the vibration, to heal, and to fully explore the collective outcry we are all part of together. The creation of this new mural was part of Cornerstone Renter Equity’s Beautification Day event and also made possible by Elementz, Over-the-Rhine Community Housing, and Pones.
Resilient
Part of the MOVE Initiative produced by Pones. This collaboration explores what it means to be resilient in the face of continual trauma. Getting our roots down deep, finding our pack to collectively roar with, and loving ourselves first are a few ways to restore and stay ready for the long road ahead.
Witness
A new music video for the song, “Witness”, the sixth installment of MOVE celebrating Black joy and talking about the toxicity and comfort found in the many forms of love. This performance features vocal artists Terrae Howl, NaQuia Chante, with music by Fernando Perdomo, as well as dancers Tabari Crook, Courtney Duncan, Chantée Jordan, and Aiden Sims.
A Call for Creatives
This will not be the only installment of the MOVE program — it will become an ongoing forum for artists to be paid to create work surrounding social justice issues. Proposals for future creations are accepted on an ongoing basis — submit your proposal here: https://forms.gle/i3eGPd1eeMBdZdN59
How You Can Help
Sponsors for this program are being sought — if you are able to help Pones amplify voices, donate here or contact Kim Popa at kim@ponesinc.com.
Pones Inc. 