from seed to bloom
An intimate evening length event conceived by Natalya Janay Shoaf to honor journey and evolution. This event encased a contemporary dance performance that served as a pathway to self-discovery for Natalya. A post-show conversation was had with audience members.
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This Natalya Janay Shoaf’s first self-produced show. A free event created to honor journey and evolution.
46 in attendance.
A mixed audience of toddlers, teens she has taught, fellow artist she has worked alongside, and elders within the community all showed up to celebrate this milestone for Natalya.
Upon entrance, each audience memeber was given a vile of wild flower seeds.
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I.
“You Can’t Play”
Choreographed by Robert Moses & Natalya Janay Shoaf
Pause
II.
“Girrrrrrl, these people”
Choreographed by laura elaine ellis & Natalya Janay Shoaf
Pause
III.
“ Amwela Lingo ”
Choreographed by Natalya Janay Shoaf
Q&A
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Q.
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This event took a village to bring into fruition.
This project was fueled and amplified by:
All whom were in attendance
CA$H Dance Grant
Mentors & Collaborators: laura elaine ellis & Robert Moses
My supportive husband
My amazing crew: Jocelynn Newman, Jordon Ellis Dabney, Tara Bucknor & Dazaun Soleyn
Zaccho Dance Theatre for welcoming this project into their space
What Audience Members Are Saying
“Amwela Lingo resonated with me the most. The inner and outer struggles of life with the realization that we are responsible for processing however those struggles made us feel. Taking responsibility to heal the trauma inherited, given, and self inflicted.”
— Guerlain Harris response to “Amwela Lingo”
“Power, beauty, struggle, & passion.”
— Anonymous
“I saw anatomy of elements & a story of transformation and change .”
— Anonymous response to “Amwela Lingo”
“I saw continued focus even as many directions requested your attention and intense energy .”
— Anonymous response to “You Can’t Play”
“I saw constraint and someone pulled into many directions .”
— Anonymous response to “You Can’t Play”
“I saw anatomy of elements & a story of transformation and change .”
— Anonymous response to “Amwela Lingo”
“Fighting to plant your roots against a system made to stunt your growth .”
— Anonymous
“Wisdom Exchange.”
— Anonymous response to “Girrrrrl, these people!”
“I witnessed struggle & tension. A person unable to fully be. I witnessed a story of someone being held back .”
— Anonymous response to “You Can’t Play”
“Power, a coming into strength and harnessing of that strength to understand oneself.”
— Anonymous response to “Amwela Lingo”
“Graceful interpretation of soul searching and self-discovery.”
— Anonymous response to From Seed to Bloom Event
“I saw determination of body.”
— Anonymous
“I witnessed resolve, release, and a glimpse of happiness mixed with residual anger and/or spite. It made me feel so many emotions, I will be thinking about this one for the next couple of days. ”
— Brandon Graham’s response to “Amwela Lingo”