For Immediate Release: February 2023

Contact: Jasmine Stanley | 213-239-4348 | stanley@contra-tiempo.org

CONTRA-TIEMPO Presents “joyUS justUS” at Queens University of Charlotte

Charlotte, NC, March 25, 2023, CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Theater in partnership with the Sarah Belk Gambrell Center for the Arts and Civic Engagement, presents “joyUS justUS” an evening length participatory Activist Dance Theater experience that takes on joy as the ultimate expression of resistance. Whenever humans have survived immense hardship and injustice, prevailing with their humanity intact, the presence of joy,­­ or the knowingness and celebration of our true beauty and power, has always been at the root. “joyUS justUS” reclaims the dominant deficit -based narrative of people of color in this country as being underprivileged, voiceless, powerless, and victimized, and flips it on its head by embodying stories of joy collected from communities of color in South Los Angeles. The stories shared in this work are personal truths about the power of hope, faith, and family, the strength of the villages that have raised our children and the wealth that lives in our collective histories of struggle and resistance.

"joyUS justUS" was a deeply collaborative effort. Conceived and directed by Ana Maria Alvarez the piece includes choreography by Alvarez and each company member who contributed their unique ideas and richly diverse movement styles, music by Las Cafeteras, whose powerful East L.A. sound and socio-political message closely compliment our own, d. Sabela grimes, whose soundprints were the heartbeat of Agua Furiosa, Charlese Antoinette, whose costumes help our dancers radiate joy and power, Emily Orling whose altar quilts create a beautifully sacred visual environment and Tuce Yasak, whose technical direction has literally brought light to so many of our stages.

Who:   CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Theater

What:  joyUS justUS live performance

When: Saturday 3/25 at 8pm

Where: Queens University of Charlotte, Sandra Levine Theater

2319 Wellesley Ave, Charlotte, NC 28207

Parking: North Parking Deck on Wellesley Ave

Campus map

Website: www.contra-tiempo.org ; arts.queens.edu


This performance is made possible in part by the City of Culver City and its Cultural Affairs Commission, with support from Sony Pictures Entertainment and the Culver City Arts Foundation.

Learn More:

More About joyUS joyUS

About CONTRA-TIEMPO

Information about the collaborators and performers in joyUS justUS can be found on our website.