The third annual Diasporic & Indigenous Dance Conference featured a dynamic lineup of events open to the community. Photo credit: Jason Nelson
Lindsay Puente, an adjunct professor at the School for Classical & Contemporary Dance, hosted the third annual Diasporic & Indigenous Dance Conference at Erma Lowe Studio Theater on TCU’s campus.
Lindsay Puente
The conference featured a dynamic lineup of events open to the community, offering immersive and interactive insights into Diasporic and Indigenous dance practices, including:
- A movement class
- A professional dance showcase
- An artist panel with a Q&A session
- A traditional celebration of Afro-Brazilian cultural arts
Puente holds a Doctor of Philosophy in comparative literature, with a focus on the Afro-Latin world and the systems of slavery and oppression.
“I conceptualized the Diasporic & Indigenous Dance Conference in relation to my cultural work with Ondas Community, where I organize the annual ‘Zumbimba Festival’ to coincide with Brazil’s ‘Day of Black Consciousness,’” explained Puente. “This event recognizes the influence and contributions of diasporic and Indigenous cultures in all aspects of modern society worldwide.”
The conference brought together guest artists who visited Puente‘s “Dance in World Cultures” class. Photo credit: Jason Nelson
The conference brought together guest artists who have visited her “Dance in World Cultures” class throughout the semester, sharing practical knowledge and cultural perspectives with TCU students.
“In my class, students learn basic steps and collaborate directly with the artists,” said Puente. “The conference allows the artists to showcase their full mastery of their arts and to come into conversation with each other, the student body and the larger public. These discussions focus on the community benefits of sharing cultural knowledge, as well as the challenges that such a monumental task incurs.”
This conference served as an opportunity to unite professional cultural ambassadors, the local community and TCU students, faculty and staff. It facilitated a deeper understanding of the city’s global community and provided an engaged learning experience that fosters pedagogical and professional interactions between students and artists.
Learn more about the Diasporic & Indigenous Dance Conference.