WADEintoACTIVISM

WADEintoACTIVISM is a 16 day performing arts festival curated and produced by WADE. The festival presents work by female and historically underrepresented artists and conversations with feminist allies surrounding gender-based violence.

The Festival began during the Covid-19 Pandemic lockdown as a response to the global increase of violence against women. It was the first program conceptualized as the backbone of what would later become WADE, because of the felt urgency to bring these topics to the forefront through dance and to give voices to those who systematically felt silenced and overlooked. Its efforts continue today in collaboration with feminist organizations from around the world to galvanize artists and thinkers toward investigation and collective action.

Opening night performance presents the work of the following companies:

• ZCO/DANCEPROJECT |Zazel Chavah O'Garra| offers a compelling artistic perspective on the themes of connections and progress, making it a thought-provoking and relevant contribution to discussions surrounding activism and social policy. It encourages audiences to reflect on the shared human experience and the potential for positive change through unity and collaboration.
• Danseurs Citoyens Sud |Ahmed Guerfel | emphases the importance of freedom, empowerment, and resilience. Through this performance, they aim to shed light on the challenges women face, the strength they carry within, and their journey towards self-discovery and self-expression. Their choreography and narrative explore the transformative power of art in advocating for women's rights and equality and in amplifying the message that creative endeavors can be a driving force in advancing the cause of human rights and freedom of expression.
• Featuring special host, Tom Block, Founding Executive Director of New York City’s International Human Rights Art Movement (2017-present); producer of the first Amnesty International Human Rights Art Festival (2010, Silver Spring, MD); creator and artist of the Human Rights Painting Project (2002-2015) and the Shalom/Salaam Project (2004-2012).  He is also the author of six books, a playwright, 25+ year exhibiting visual artist.  He was a Research Fellow at DePaul University (2010), LABA Fellow (NY, 2013-14), Hamiltonian Fellow (DC, 2008-09) and has spoken throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, Turkey and the Middle East.

ABOUT WADE

WADE (Wandering Avian Dance Experience) is a women-led multifaceted performing arts company working at the intersection of art and social justice. We are focused on supporting the voices and artistic expressions of women and historically underrepresented artists. WADE offers numerous points of entry into art and activism through educational programs and curated festivals in the US and Europe.

www.wadedance.org