Embodiment
“Embodiment” explores the duality of the tender yet expansive ways we embrace the presence of love. Moving with this intention, our bodies can create a shield of protection—allowing us to feel what is and has always been our birthright.
Watch the Performance
Reflection Questions
- For Alli, dance is an act of self love that allows her to stop seeking validation from outside and instead, source it from within. What practices anchor you to find validation from within?
- Alli shares that no matter how and where joy shows up she chooses to “claim it unapologetically” and invites us to do the same. Where do you experience joy? Do you ever block yourself from experiencing joy? What would it look like to claim it unapologetically today, this week, and always?
About Alli Gray-Odeniyide
Alli Gray-Odeniyide
Professional Dancer / Choreographer / Teaching Artist
Allison “Alli” Gray-Odeniyide is a dancer, choreographer, and teaching artist based in Los Angeles, California. She graduated from UCLAʼs Department of World Arts and Cultures with a concentration in Dance and has since had an active career as a performing artist and dance educator. Since 2009, Alli has been a principal member of Versa-Style Dance Company, a non-profit organization and dance ensemble committed to breaking misconceptions of Hip Hop/Street Dance by instilling the roots, history, and social/political issues surrounding the art form of this generation. Her personal passion and choreographic work draws upon the styles from the African Diaspora, where she feels deeply connected to the powerful ancestry of the movement and music of such styles as House, Afrobeat, Funk, and Hip Hop. Alli believes in the healing agent of dance to cultivate empowering possibilities of one’s self and greater community.
Interview with Alli
How do you practice radical joy and liberation in your creative practice?
I found liberation in my creative practice when I redefined the purpose of dance in my life. Dance has become one of my greatest acts of self-love. Therefore as much as I have chosen dance, it has also chosen me. I stopped searching for outside validation that could only come from within. Knowing that dance brings me healing, purpose, and peace, I no longer wait for permission to do so. If my daily dose only comes from dancing with my daughter in the kitchen while making breakfast, I accept this fully! Self-actualization has allowed me to see that joy will arise in different capacities, times, or places. However it shows up, I choose to claim it unapologetically.
We know you are very committed to the next generation of arts activists—what draws you to that work and what motivates you to cultivate young artists and change-makers?
What motivates me to work with young artists is the opportunity to expand their thinking about the possibilities of their actions and achievements. I am passionate about sharing the stories of the people and culture which created Hip Hop/Street Dance. Within this rich art form, students often can discover a reflection of themselves, community, or family. By creating this connection, Hip Hop can become a place of belonging and self-discovery. At its core, Hip Hop embraces the individual to express, innovate, and share; a powerful tool that fosters self-efficacy and purpose.
What traditions, elders and movements do you turn to for inspiration?
I am drawn most to movements and traditions connected to the African diaspora such as Hip Hop, House, West African, and Afrobeats. House dance pioneer Marjory Smarth is an elder I continue to turn to for inspiration. Beyond being a phenomenal mover, she had the most beautiful character and light that permeated all things around her. She wasn’t interested in being constrained by labels as a dancer, which allowed for her to move without barriers. Her practice was one of cultivating freedom! Her motto, “Live True, Dance Free” is something I always refer to when I am in need of inspiration; it reminds me of the importance of living well and using our gifts/passions to find liberation.