This is where/I Begin…

This is where/I Begin… is a solo dance exposing the plight of a DACA recipient/Dreamer and the relationship of living in the U.S.A. The work creates and moves through memory. The dance exposes treasured moments and movements. The dance highlights intersectionality while exposing the complexity of politics, status, body, and home. This performance includes audience participation and a post-show artist talk-back.

ABOUT THE ARTIST

Gabriel Mata is a Mexican-American dance choreographer, educator, and performer. The StarTribune has called him “Sly, subtle and totally virtuosic, theatrical dancer-choreographer Gabriel Mata holds the stage with expressive movement and witty words.” Gabriel Mata/Movements is his project-based performance company. His most recent work DREAMING was awarded the 2018 MN Fringe Festival Audience Pick and in 2017, he was awarded The Twin Cities Arts Reader Best of Fringe Award for his Out of the Shadows. His dances have been performed in Minnesota, California, New York, North Carolina, Maryland, Pennsylvania, Washington DC, and the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. His work has been commissioned and performed by sjDANCEco, the Festival of Latin American Contemporary Choreographers, the Luna Dance Institute, Joy of Motion, Dance Place, and the Charlotte Dance Festival. He has performed for companies such as haus of bambi, sjDANCEco, Post:Ballet, PEARSONWIDRIG DANCETHEATER, and Zenon Dance Company. Mata has also performed for artists such as Monica Bill Barnes, Diane Frank, Mark Foehringer, Joel Smith, Keith Johnson, Wynn Fricke, and the work of José Limón. He trained in Limón technique and applies its theory in his teaching with contemporary influences. He has also been awarded the Sadie Rose Artist Residency Award, the Mina Garman Award for Excellence in Choreography, the Carol Ann Haws Award for Excellence in Performance, and 2018’s “Best Arrival for DC Dance” editors pick for Washington City Paper. He is currently a graduate teaching assistant at the University of Maryland – College Park.