October Dance kicks off season celebrating Black dance

October 9, 2025

The University of Illinois’ October Dance concert launches a season celebrating Black dance under the theme “Black on Black: A Celebration of Black Dance.” The program features Katherine Dunham’s 1949 masterpiece Afrique—the first time a university has been granted rights to perform one of her company works—directed by April Berry. It also includes new pieces by faculty artists Cynthia Oliver, Roxane D’Orléans Juste, and C. Kemal Nance. Through these performances, Dance at Illinois honors the legacy and ongoing influence of Black dance while promoting education, community engagement, and artistic innovation.

Read more about October Dance at the Illinois News Bureau.

4 dancers on stage dressed in red
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