OUR HERSTORY
Red Clay Dance: 2013 Summer/Fall Events
The season is packed with powerful performances and collaborations! Catch us at the Harvest Chicago Contemporary Dance Festival on September 21, experience our In the Works Residency with Keiga Dance Company at the Chicago Cultural Center, and don’t miss the premiere of On Hallowed Ground on October 6. We’re closing out the season with a bang—join us for our 5th Anniversary Fall Concert & Paint the Town Red Party on October 18-19 at Logan Arts Center. Stay tuned for ticket details and be part of the movement!
Dance4Peace - An Evening of Bliss
The Dance4Peace Youth Explosion was a night filled with energy, joy, and powerful performances at the Gary Comer Youth Center. With a buzzing backstage, heartfelt tributes, and an audience eager to witness the magic, the evening truly captured the spirit of community and celebration. From honoring mothers to bidding farewell to documentary filmmaker Timothy Lydon, every moment was unforgettable. Relive the excitement and join us at our next performances—because the movement never stops!
Tell your Friends in Fuller Park: The Corner Office belongs to Red Clay Dance!
Exciting news—Red Clay Dance has a new home at Fuller Park Fieldhouse! Thanks to a partnership with the Chicago Park District, we now have dedicated rehearsal space and an office to continue our mission. Our Teen Club dance program, running Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 4-6 p.m., is completely free and open to all teens—boys, we need you too! With professional company rehearsals and dance classes kicking off, Fuller Park is about to feel like a scene straight out of Fame. Spread the word and come dance with us!
Announcing the FY 2014 Board of Directors
Red Clay Dance is proud to introduce our FY 2014 Board of Directors! As we continue our mission of awakening glocal Artivism through dance, our dedicated board members play a vital role in guiding our vision and impact.
Dance4Peace 2013 Youth Dance Explosion, May 11, 2013
Mark your calendars! On May 11, 2013, Red Clay Dance, in partnership with the Gary Comer Youth Center, presents Dance 4 Peace—a powerful celebration of dance and youth empowerment. Featuring some of the best youth dance groups from across Chicagoland, this event is all about unity, expression, and community. No competition, no awards—just movement, joy, and purpose. Proceeds support Red Clay Dance’s education and community engagement programs. Get your tickets now and help bring dance education to Chicago’s youth!
RAD Fest Spotlight on Red Clay Dance
At the 2013 Midwest Regional Alternative Dance Festival (RAD Fest), Red Clay Dance captivated audiences with Gone 2 Soon. Festival coordinator Rachel Miller praised Artistic Director Vershawn Sanders’ fusion of African, modern, and hip-hop dance, calling it “very original, very grounded… and surprising.” Featured on the cover of the Kalamazoo Gazette Sunday Arts section, this performance was a standout moment in the festival’s lineup.
Train with the Best: 2013 Spring Teen Masterclass Series
Red Clay Dance Youth Ensemble presents the 2013 Spring Teen Masterclass Series, offering free dance workshops for teens! This exciting series features top instructors in Modern, Hip Hop, and Ballet, including Rachell Russell, DJ, Jennifer Colvin, and Amansu Eason. Whether you're a beginner or experienced dancer, this is a chance to train with the best. All levels welcome—register now!
RCD Board Vice-Chair, Belinda Farr
A dedicated advocate for child welfare, Belinda Farr serves as Red Clay Dance’s Board Vice-Chair with a heart for community impact. As a Prevention Specialist with Prevent Child Abuse Illinois, she works alongside DCFS and community organizations to promote child abuse prevention. With over 12 years of experience in child welfare, her leadership and passion for social change align perfectly with Red Clay Dance’s mission of Artivism and empowerment.
RCD Board Secretary, Jewel Sophia Younge
Writer, educator, and storyteller, Jewel Sophia Younge serves as Red Clay Dance’s Board Secretary with a passion for language and culture. A published freelance writer with work featured in English Journal, Rolling Out Magazine, and more, she also teaches Humanities and Composition at Olive-Harvey College. With her first feature film, Addiction by Subtraction, set for release in 2013, Jewel brings a dynamic creative voice to Red Clay Dance’s leadership.
RCD Board Treasurer, Rob Ellis
With a strong background in political science, justice studies, and strategic leadership, Rob Ellis brings invaluable expertise to Red Clay Dance as Board Treasurer. As Chairman and CEO of the Phoenix Association NFP, he is committed to uplifting disenfranchised youth in Chicago, while also managing large-scale initiatives at Healthcare Service Corporation. His dedication to community impact and financial stewardship helps drive Red Clay Dance’s mission forward.