Kicking off this weekend, we’re delighted to announce the launch of a Nature Sacred program pilot: STEP into the Garden.
The growing step movement celebrates culture, art and community. It’s a creative mashup of dance, stomp and spoken word—and infuses some elements of “tap dancing, break dancing, gymnastics and Afro-Caribbean dance“.
While it’s an art form steeped in history, step has enjoyed a surge in popularity in younger generations over the last few decades—made even more prevalent with the debut of the award-winning film, STEP, which launched last year at this time. The film’s true-life story chronicles an all-girls’ high-school step team in Baltimore—as they pursue dreams, defy odds and overcome barriers of all kinds. This film embodies inspiration in the truest sense of the word—sprung to life in the heart of Baltimore. Today, troupes and teams of step performers across the country are finding new pride, hope and expression through this art form.
As this fall marks the one-year anniversary of the STEP film launch, we have created a program to celebrate step in four of our Sacred Places in Baltimore. This program series culminates with a performance by the Lethal Ladies of BLSYW themselves—who starred in STEP—followed by an outdoor screening of the film! Food and drink will be provided.
“Step represents a new kind of hope: a sense of youth empowerment, a means of creative expression, a platform to inspire positive change. We’re excited to showcase some of our local talent in these community gardens—and to bring people together to celebrate the film and its performers right here in Baltimore.”
– S. Rasheem, Program Advisor, Nature Sacred
We’re so excited to celebrate this movement in our Sacred Places—our community green spaces intended to strengthen and celebrate community, pride and place.
“This has been a vision of ours for over a year. There’s something powerfully uplifting about the confluence of art and nature—both vital to our wellbeing—and both potent forces in unifying communities.”
– Erin Robertson, Executive Director, Nature Sacred
Join us for one, some, or all of these free events, open to everyone—and be sure not to miss the finale!
Schedule is available on our calendar and listed below. Flyer is available for download, if you’d like to spread the word to your neighbors!
Friends of Patterson Park | Saturday, October 6th at 11:30
- 27 S. Patterson Park Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21231
- Part of their Volunteer Day Event
- Performers:
- Dynamic Dance Force
Thanksgiving Place | Saturday, October 13th at 2 pm
- 1000 E. 33rd Street, Baltimore, MD 21218
- Performers:
- City Neighbors Performance
- CLASS Inc Performance
Hopkins Bayview | Saturday, October 20th at 2 pm
- 4940 Eastern Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21224
- Performers:
- Annapolis High School
- Cristo Rey High School
Jubilee Arts at the Intersection of Change — Series Finale | Saturday, October 27th at 6:30
- 1947 Pennsylvania Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21217
- Performers:
- The Lethal Ladies of BLSYW (who performed in the film STEP!)
- STEP Film Screening
