The UW Department of Dance is excited to host a day of activating conversations—both embodied and verbal—encouraging dialogue across social, academic, and institutional community members.
The event will feature a public lecture and movement workshop with renowned visiting artist and scholar LaTasha Barnes. Barnes is an Associate Professor of Dance at Arizona State University, the Executive/Artistic Director of The Jazz Continuum, and a New York Times-lauded "Queen of Social Dance." Internationally celebrated as a tradition-bearer of Black American social dance, LaTasha Barnes effortlessly embodies decades of movement history while stirring audiences to thoughtful, creative action in and around dance.
This empowering day will include:
- Public lecture and movement workshop with LaTasha Barnes
- Roundtable discussion with community partners
- Curated dance showcase
- Community dance party!!
All events hosted at the UW Department of Dance will be free and open to the public.
Registration Opens November 1, 2026
Tentative Schedule: February 20th, 2027 | Meany Hall Studios
| Time | Activity |
|---|---|
| 10:30am – 12:00pm | Lecture by LaTasha Barnes, "From the Club to the Academy: Ethics and Evolution in Social Dance" |
| 12pm – 2pm | Lunch and Roundtable (lunch provided) |
| 2:15pm – 3:45pm | Dance Workshop with LaTasha Barnes "Into the Continuum: Exploration through Jazz into House and Hip Hop" |
| 4pm – 6pm | Dance Showcase and Open Dancing |
| 8pm | Dance Party* (location TBA) |
*The dance party will be a ticketed event off-site.
From the Club to the Academy: Ethics and Evolution in Social Dance
Public Lecture by LaTasha Barnes, 10:30am-12:30pm, Meany Hall Studios
Street and club dances thrive in community spaces, but how do we ethically bring them onto concert stages and into university studios? Join us for an engaging public talk that dives into the tensions, triumphs, and responsibilities of expanding the reach of social dance into institutional spaces. We will explore how academic spaces can support these traditions without extracting from them, while clearly defining the vital roles of culture bearers and institutions in preserving dance history.
Into the Continuum: Exploration through Jazz into House and Hip Hop
Dance Workshop with LaTasha Barnes, 2:15-3:45pm, Meany Hall Studios
Experience the living timeline of Black American social dance! Led by internationally celebrated artist-scholar LaTasha Barnes, this embodied workshop explores the structural and rhythmic continuum connecting jazz, house, and hip hop. Participants will dive into the shared grooves, footwork, and cultural roots that tie these forms together. Open to all movers desiring to celebrate community, history, and creative expression - but be ready ready to dance!!
About LaTasha Barnes
LaTasha Barnes is an internationally recognized and awarded dance artist, tradition-bearer of Black American Social Dance, a renowned educator and tenured faculty as Associate Prof of Dance at Arizona State University. Operating between New York and Phoenix, Barnes’ expansive artistic, competitive, and performative skills have made her a frequent collaborator to esteemed arts & service organizations and artists around the world. She is the Visionary Creator and Artistic Director of the critically acclaimed, award winning intergenerational and intercommunal cultural arts experience and concert work ‘The Jazz Continuum’. As well as the recently premiered love letter in movement and music to her inspirations - “The Look of Love.” She is further honored to serve on the Brain Trust guiding the ground-breaking stage productions ‘SW!NG OUT’ and ‘A Very SW!NGOUT Holiday.’ Visit www.latashabarnes.com to learn more about her journey, research and efforts that can benefit from your support.