Historical talk social dance

LaTasha Barnes multi-Bessie-award winner, is an internationally awarded and celebrated dance artist, renowned educator, tenured faculty as Associate Prof of Dance, Arizona State University, decorated U.S. Army Veteran (SFC/ SATCOM Engineer), and Tradition-Bearer of Black American Social Dance. Her love of dance and music exceeds her known life, as Barnes’ parents lovingly joke that she was dancing even before she was breathing, recalling memories of LaTasha grooving in her mother’s womb while she sat next to speakers at parties LaTasha’s father DJ’d. From this early love/education her expansive artistic, competitive, and performative skills flourished and have made her a frequent collaborator to prominent artists and arts organizations around the world. She is deeply honored to be in service to her culture across social, academic, and performative spaces as shared in her March 2022 Today Show feature with Hoda & Jenna as well as her July 2022 Dance Magazine profile. She is the Visionary Creator and Artistic Director of the critically acclaimed, award winning intergenerational and intercommunal cultural arts experience and concert work ‘The Jazz Continuum’. As well as the recently premiered love letter in movement and music to her inspirations - “The Look of Love.” She is further honored to serve on the Brain Trust guiding the ground-breaking stage productions ‘SW!NG OUT’ and ‘A Very SW!NGOUT Holiday.’ Barnes deeply cherishes the guidance, support, and empowerment bestowed by her family/framily, elders, mentors, and ancestors. Their love gives her the strength to strive for authentic expression, excellence, and fulfillment in every endeavor - for them and this work LaTasha is eternally grateful.