IABD Presents 28th Annual International Dance Conference and Festival, 1/20

The International Association of Blacks in Dance (IABD) will present "Black Dance Rising," its 28th Annual International Conference and Festival of Blacks In Dance, January 20-24, 2016. Hosted by Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, the event will bring together the dance world's elite and emerging in celebration of dance from the African Diaspora, as well as provide educational and professional development opportunities.

The five-day conference features an impressive lineup of renowned speakers, including a keynote address by Jawole Willa Jo Zollar, founding and artistic director of Urban Bush Women. It will also feature master dance classes, development workshops, panel sessions and networking for dance pre-professionals and professionals alike. In addition, more than 30 dance companies from around the world including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dallas Black Dance Theatre and Philadanco! will perform a broad spectrum of dance genres and styles.

"Culture is a powerful factor in the self-determination equation. Black dance does not exist without critical thought, study, examination and discipline," said Malik Robinson, executive director of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance. "It's easy to become entranced or enamored by movement, but Black dance, ultimately, is communication. [It] humanizes, empowers and informs."

The 28th Annual International Conference and Festival Of Blacks In Dance, themed "Black Dance Rising", takes place January 20-24, 2016 in Denver, CO. In addition, IABD will host its 1st Annual Ballet Audition for women of color with more than 15 participating U.S. premier Ballet companies, January 24.

The conference activities are hosted by the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel with performances taking place at the historic Paramount Theatre, Ellie Caulkins Opera House and Denver Performing Arts Complex. This year's host partners include Art Works - National Endowment for the Arts and Cleo Parker Robinson Dance.

Registration includes a conference kit and access to the following events:
• Keynote Speaker

• Youth Performance
• Luncheon
• IABD Member Evening Performance
• Awards Dinner
• Founding Companies Performance with featured guests
• Post Performance Receptions
• Special Youth Evening Activities
• Closing Ceremony and Breakfast
• All Panels and Workshops

For more information, including conference registration, hotel and travel rates and the ballet audition, visit iabdassociation.org.

About IABD
Celebrating 28 years of dance, The International Association of Blacks In Dance preserves and promotes dance by people of African ancestry or origin, and assists and increases opportunities for artists in networking, funding, performance, education, audience development, philosophical dialogue, touring and advocacy.

About CPRD
Cleo Parker Robinson Dance aims to serve as a local anchor and international destination for the study and celebration of culture with an emphasis on dance and its relation to community empowerment and democratic renewal. Through demonstrated success in creative programming, fiscal responsibility, management and artistic development, CPRD aims to foster an environment of collaboration and leadership that advances the highest quality yet accessible and affordable cultural arts programming for all people with particular focus upon underserved communities.