“We need equity. We need allies. We need to feel safe, here, in our home.”
These were among many statements collected in an open community forum for members of our immigrant and refugee communities to come together and talk about identity and needs. These recorded statements, along with stories of four immigrants and refugees collected at writing workshops, formed the narrative for Global Nashville Project’s contemporary dance, “Braid”, a community-based arts project made possible in part by funding from Metro Nashville Arts Commission. Ellen Gilbert and Global Education Center were essential community partners in this intersection of arts and social justice. Global Education Center artists Carlos Duran (composer), Alejandro Rivera (dancer), Camila Fyler (dancer), and Charlie Gilbert (interpreter) were vital collaborators in bringing this work of art to life, and Ellen was a potent force for reaching out to sponsors and connecting with diverse communities to have a voice in this project.
These were among many statements collected in an open community forum for members of our immigrant and refugee communities to come together and talk about identity and needs. These recorded statements, along with stories of four immigrants and refugees collected at writing workshops, formed the narrative for Global Nashville Project’s contemporary dance, “Braid”, a community-based arts project made possible in part by funding from Metro Nashville Arts Commission. Ellen Gilbert and Global Education Center were essential community partners in this intersection of arts and social justice. Global Education Center artists Carlos Duran (composer), Alejandro Rivera (dancer), Camila Fyler (dancer), and Charlie Gilbert (interpreter) were vital collaborators in bringing this work of art to life, and Ellen was a potent force for reaching out to sponsors and connecting with diverse communities to have a voice in this project.
Braid dancers practicing at one of Global Education Center's 4 studios at our Charlotte Ave. location.
In just eight intense weeks, this team of a more than a dozen dancers, interpreters, composer, choreographer, and project manager collected and wove together recorded statements and stories, created an original score, choreographed and rehearsed an 11-minute dance that premiered at Celebrate Nashville in October 2017, and was also performed at Global Education Center’s Ballet Plata y Oro on October 28th. “Braid” weaves together statements of identity, false stereotypes, needs, and personal stories of members of Nashville’s international communities. Audience members where called to action with follow-up Action Steps to support our immigrant and refugee communities. Thanks to Global Education Center’s partnership, Global Nashville Project included Nashvillians from Somalia, Kurdistan, Mexico, Venezuela, Iran, Syria, Kenya, France, Taiwan, Burma, Colombia, Puerto Rico, and of Filipino, African-American, and US mainland American heritage. And thanks to those who witnessed “Braid” and accepted the challenge to put emotions into action, 11 people participated in various one-time or ongoing activities to further support immigrant and refugee communities in Nashville.
Braid dancers practicing their performance at Father Ryan Auditorium as part a Global Education Center community performance.
It didn’t take long for Global Education Center director Ellen Gilbert to say yes to the invitation to be a community partner, to schedule Global South for the forum and writing workshops, and begin connecting me with potential artists. Admittedly, when Ellen first recommended Carlos as a composer, I was wary that a percussionist might not be able to provide the type of musical score, with sustained notes, I had imagined. But Ellen was spot on, and the process of working with Carlos was the most amazing and enjoyable experience I’ve ever had collaborating with a composer. Not only did Carlos bring considerable musical talent, vision, and professionalism to creating an original score and overlaying the recorded voices, (not to mention patience for the many additions/revisions I made in the vocal narrative!) but his experience as an immigrant from Venezuela, his attending and participating in the community forum to collectively create statements that framed the narrative, and the heart and understanding he brought to this work was extraordinary.
Ellen and Global Education Center have had my respect and admiration and support for many years. But in collaborating on a community project, I’ve grown closer to seeing from the inside what it means to be involved in the Global Education Center family. It is just that; a family. These are artists who create together, who care for each other, whose lives intersect beyond just Global Education Center’s extensive cultural programming. These are people who believe deeply in the importance and power of building bridges of understanding through the arts, and who bring the best of themselves to their work. And in doing so, they make our community and our world a better place.
Ellen and Global Education Center have had my respect and admiration and support for many years. But in collaborating on a community project, I’ve grown closer to seeing from the inside what it means to be involved in the Global Education Center family. It is just that; a family. These are artists who create together, who care for each other, whose lives intersect beyond just Global Education Center’s extensive cultural programming. These are people who believe deeply in the importance and power of building bridges of understanding through the arts, and who bring the best of themselves to their work. And in doing so, they make our community and our world a better place.
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--Amanda Cantrell Roche
Teaching Artist, Social Justice Choreographer, Mom and Writer with the heart of a community organizer |
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