Celebrate a decade of youth-led arts activism with the 10-Year Anniversary Dance for Social Change Festival, March 27-29, here at the Contemporary Arts Center! This year’s festival is titled The Cost of Conformity: Behind the Classroom Door. From our Premier Night + Patron Party to Teen Night and Family Day, this three-day festival is a call to action, bringing together artists, educators, and change makers to envision a better future for our youth.
DSC 10 Festival Schedule
Thursday, March 27 | Premiere Night + Patron Party | 6-11PMThe festival kicks off with an evening of art, advocacy, and celebration. Guests will experience world-premiere performances from DSC artists, enjoy live music, food, and drinks, and support our mission to keep this work thriving for the next decade.
Friday, March 28 | Teen Night| 8pm-12am
A free event providing a dynamic and empowering space for teens to engage in meaningful conversations, celebrate youth artistry, and explore real solutions to the challenges they face in school. This night features thought-provoking discussions and electrifying performances with New Orleans' King of Bounce, Ha Sizzle, DSC alum, writer, and activist Akilah Toney, and talented youth artists from across the city.
Saturday, March 29 | Family Day | 12-4pm
A free, all-ages community event featuring performances by our K-8 youth programs, activations with local mental health organizations, a food truck, and conversations with local officials committed to youth advocacy.
What is Dance for Social Change?
Dance for Social Change (DSC) is Dancing Grounds’ award-winning arts and advocacy initiative. The program inspires New Orleans youth to use their artistic talents to catalyze positive social change in our community.
DSC is a year-round, multifaceted youth leadership initiative where participants learn how to use their artistic talents to advocate for change in their communities. It is led by the Dance For Social Change teen company, a group of high school artists that rehearse weekly on Saturdays during the school year, studying dance, exploring advocacy issues, and building skills in creative thinking, communication, collaboration, and leadership. Each year, they select a social justice topic impacting their community and create an original performance about that issue. They premiere their work at the annual DSC festival and tour the work to community organizations and festivals. They also organize block parties, community forums, and other platforms that use the arts to advocate for social change. Past themes have included the school-to-prison pipeline (2016); women’s rights and gender justice (2017); mental health (2018); gentrification and displacement (2019-2020); and mental health during Covid (2020-present).
Photography by Jeremy Tauriac of Tauriac Photo