Twist & Shout! An Evening of Dance, Spoken Word & Music

Tickets are now on sale for Twist & Shout! An Evening of Dance, Spoken Word, and Music to Benefit the OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center on Saturday, October 22, 2022. Tickets range from $50 to $100 (VIP)*. This event will be our first IN-PERSON gala in TWO YEARS! We are so excited to be back at the Calderwood Pavilion at the Boston Center for the Arts to celebrate our 28th anniversary with phenomenal and inspiring performances by our Professional Dance Division – NIA Dance Troupe, Girlz of IMANI, IMANI JR, and Aleye Boyz Troupe and special guests NIA Dance Troupe alumni.

Along with great performances by our dancers, we celebrate community leaders, social justice activists, and trailblazers in the arts who have dedicated their careers to advocating for our youth, preserving African American culture, and empowering our communities. I am thrilled to announce this year’s honorees:

• Julia Mejia– Boston City Councilor, At-Large,
• Imari Paris Jeffries– Executive Director of King Boston;
• Sarita Allen– Former principal dancer of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Founding Member & Artistic Advisor, Complexions Contemporary Ballet;
• Courtney Cfrmtheb Boston– Co-Founder, Program Director, and General Manager of WWOC.

We are blessed to have Michael J. Bobbitt, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Cultural Council, serve as the host for the evening. Your $100 VIP ticket will include an exclusive VIP reception where you can meet the honorees, the host, dancers, and Artistic Directors, participate in the silent auction, and enjoy complimentary hors d’oeuvres.

*Please note that the $100 VIP ticket includes the VIP reception which starts at 6:30 pm.