Black Choreographers Festival brings activism, lineage, and rising talent to San Francisco

The 21st season of the festival features a mix of established and emerging choreographers exploring themes of identity, community, and social justice.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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The Black Choreographers Festival in San Francisco blended activism, lineage, and rising talent in its 21st season opener. The festival featured a diverse lineup of choreographers, from established names like Gregory Dawson to up-and-coming artists like Ja'Moon Jones and A(laj)a Badalich. The performances explored themes of identity, community, and social justice through a range of styles, from gritty and defiant to lyrical and soothing.

Why it matters

The Black Choreographers Festival has long served as a platform for paradigm-changing new talents in the Bay Area dance scene. By featuring a mix of established and emerging choreographers, the festival highlights the lineage and evolution of Black dance in the region, while also providing a breakout opportunity for the next generation of artists.

The details

The opening weekend of the festival included a range of works-in-progress and premieres. Gabriele Christian's "numbing agent" reimagined a 1997 piece, blending activism and lineage, while Ja'Moon Jones' "MudMothers: Origins" explored mythological themes through a visceral, ritualistic performance. A(laj)a Badalich and Jordon Ellis Dabney's "don't call me soldier; don't call me lady" touched on intersections of Blackness, gender fluidity, and neurodivergence. The festival also featured more celebratory works, like William L. Miller Jr.'s disco-inspired "Je Te Veux" and Isha Tobis Clarke's audience-interactive "We", which rooted club dance traditions in the African diaspora.

  • The Black Choreographers Festival opened on February 22, 2026.
  • The festival will tour to Los Angeles in the summer of 2027.

The players

Black Choreographers Festival

A long-running festival in San Francisco that has served as a platform for paradigm-changing new talents in the Bay Area dance scene.

Gabriele Christian

A choreographer who presented the work-in-progress "numbing agent" at the festival, which reimagined a 1997 piece exploring activism and lineage.

Ja'Moon Jones

A choreographer who presented the work-in-progress "MudMothers: Origins" at the festival, exploring mythological themes through a visceral, ritualistic performance.

A(laj)a Badalich

A choreographer who presented the work-in-progress "don't call me soldier; don't call me lady" at the festival, exploring intersections of Blackness, gender fluidity, and neurodivergence.

William L. Miller Jr.

A Los Angeles-based choreographer who presented the premiere quintet "Je Te Veux", a disco-inspired work at the festival.

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What they’re saying

“This is a space and a time of hootin' and hollerin'”

— Isha Tobis Clarke (sfchronicle.com)

“Club dances are rooted in the traditions of the African diaspora, and the African diaspora is rooted in community”

— Isha Tobis Clarke (sfchronicle.com)

What’s next

The Black Choreographers Festival will tour to Los Angeles in the summer of 2027.

The takeaway

The Black Choreographers Festival continues to be a vital platform for showcasing the diversity, innovation, and social impact of Black dance in the Bay Area. By blending established and emerging artists, the festival highlights the lineage and evolution of this vibrant artistic community.