Black By Popular Demand

About This Event

Dayton Contemporary Dance Company (DCDC) presents BLACK BY POPULAR DEMAND – four powerhouse works that capture the heart of African American culture through movement. From the gospel celebration of In My Father’s House to the civil rights reflection of Martyr’s Road, from the ancestral rhythms of WAWA ABA to the intimate connections of Call(ing), this concert delivers the emotional range and artistic excellence audiences return for again and again. These are the works that make audiences lean forward in their seats, tap their feet to the beat, and feel their spirits stirred. Chief Executive & Artistic Director Debbie Blunden-Diggs’ In My Father’s House transforms the Victoria Theatre into a sanctuary with Kirk Franklin’s unforgettable gospel sound. Kevin Ward’s Martyr’s Road honors the unending march for justice through one family’s story. Stafford C. Berry Jr.’s WAWA ABA pulses with neo-traditional African dance and communal energy. Qarrianne Blayr’s The Call(ing) reminds audiences to answer the call — from loved ones, from purpose, from community. BLACK BY POPULAR DEMAND celebrates Black life, love, and liberation through dance that reflects on history, speaks to the present, and carries forward a legacy born during the Civil Rights movement. Part of the Dancing in Our Light season, this concert invites audiences to witness artistry that resonates in the chest, connects generations, and reminds us why live performance changes everything. There’s something here for everyone – moments of joy, reflection, resilience, and triumph that leave the theatre buzzing.