This Picture Reminds Me of You

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Choreographer Juel D. Lane’s latest creation is a vibrant homage to the iconic painter Ernie Barnes, whose dynamic depictions of 1970s Harlem dance halls evoke a sense of longing and connection to the past. Lane's adaptation of Barnes's legendary "Sugar Shack," featured on Marvin Gaye’s "I Want You" album and Good Times, transforms the energy and movement of Barnes’s paintings into a full-bodied, exuberant dance performance. Like a painting that brings unrequited love into focus, Lane’s choreography uses imagery to awaken the past, connecting memory with the present.

Listen to Juel share the inspiration behind his work, reflecting on how Ernie Barnes' art sparks his own feelings of nostalgia and shapes his creative process HERE

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SNAP delves into the complex tension between individuality and social conformity, set against the backdrop of Los Angeles and energized by the music of James Brown. It challenges us to break free from societal pressures that push us to project a singular, polished image. When we conform to fit these expectations, we risk losing the complexities that make us human. Taylor’s choreography, driven by Brown’s iconic rhythms, encourages us to look beyond surface appearances and embrace the messiness of individuality. Just as a single image can evoke a multitude of memories, SNAP invites us to rediscover the depth of our humanity and forge more authentic connections.

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Bloquea’o by Joan Rodriguez

Bloquea’o draws on deeply personal memories of a lost homeland. Inspired by the Cuban Missile Crisis, Rodriguez combines Folklorico, Afro-Cuban, and contemporary dance to explore the experience of carrying one’s home in one’s heart. Through original music blending Cuban rhythms, Yoruba chants, and the sounds of La Habana, Rodriguez’s work embodies the nostalgia of a homeland left behind, yet ever-present in memory. Like a vivid image of home, it reflects how the past continues to shape the future.