Rethinking The World: A Duty of Remembrance

Conference Discussion with Rhodnie Désir

To celebrate the invaluable contributions and rich heritage of Black communities, choreographer, documentalist and artistic director Rhodnie Désir invites you on a journey that blends geography, anthropology, history, and artistry—an exploration into the heart of Afro-descendant history in the Americas. Since 2015, Rhodnie has traveled across the Americas, seeking to uncover the diverse cultures of Afro-descendant communities and retracing their stories, inspired by her own ancestral roots. Driven by a deep desire to connect with and transcend her origins, Rhodnie created the groundbreaking international project BOW’T TRAIL, which has taken her to destinations such as Martinique, Haiti, Brazil, Mexico, Halifax, and New Orleans.

This unique choreographic and documentary project fuses art, knowledge, and history, offering a fresh perspective on the intangible heritage of Black communities through dance. Drawing on more than 140 vibrant testimonies from historians, anthropologists, ethnomusicologists, variant searchers, citizens, and musicians in five languages, Rhodnie's work sheds light on these communities in a realistic and empowering way.

This conference discussion will delve into various aspects of the artist’s work, including:

• Developing choreographic practices, such as the choreo-documentary approach
• The re-creation of her work BOW’T on 7 lands of the Americas, knowledge and video sharing
• The power of intergenerational collaboration and the preservation of collective memory

This event will be hosted and facilitated by Nicole Inica Hamilton.

Accessibility Information: YWCA Toronto is located at 87 Elm St. This entrance can be accessed via the ramp or stairs (5 steps). Nancy’s Auditorium has a few options for folks using mobility aids: there is a platform at the back row for seating, or one of the venue's staff can show you to the floor level using the elevator in the reception hall. The bathrooms are also accessible using this elevator. The venue is a scent-free, mask-friendly environment with hand sanitizer available in both the auditorium and reception hall.

If you have any questions about this event, please email Catherine at catherine@danceworks.ca .

Photo credit: Marjorie Guindon.

Banner design credit: Jillian Greyson.