15th Annual

Fallen Heroes, Rising Stars: Juneteenth Celebration Through Dance + Dancer Q&A

Free Outdoor Performance - Date TBD

OLD OAKLAND PARKING LOT - Washington St. between 8th & 9th, Oakland, CA

Click here to watch 3 min performance promo

ALL 2024 Actvities are FREE!

Classes are taught Live Streamed on GWDC’s website OR In Person at our studio!

For In Person classes, please RSVP

494 9th St., Oakland, CA

***Please see details below re/ which classes are Live Streamed and which are In Person.***

About the Show

Juneteenth is the oldest known celebration commemorating the ending of slavery in the United States.  It celebrates life-shifting events in Texas on June 19, 1865. We’re celebrating our 14th anniversary performances!  Stars of the dance world come together to celebrate dance, music and American history.

All internationally respected dancers are retired from major companies, including Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Bill T. Jones/ Arnie Zane Company, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Complexions, Lula Washington, and over 40 Broadway shows.  With over 400 years of experience on the contemporary and ballet stage, dancers are a cultural and artistic bridge from the great artists that came before them, to the next generations.

This arts and history performance honors the memory of:

•  African American musical artists such as John Lee Hooker, Aretha Franklin, DMX, Whitney Houston, Nipsey Hussle, Maya Angelou, Prince, and many others with lasting legacies.

•  Civil Rights leaders such as Nelson Mandela, Muhammad Ali & Maya Angelou.

Through the power of dancers in their 40s & 50s, this uplifting, educational, inspiring, family-friendly, can't-sit-still-in-your-seat celebration of who we are as Americans will have you singing to yourself and reflecting on history for weeks.  

Who is this show for?

This show is perfect for the whole family. Whether you spend lots of time at the theatre or this is your very first time, you will have a blast! Children, seniors, teenagers, Grown Folks and everyone in between, we pride ourselves in creating beautiful cross-cultural and intergenerational magic. All are welcome! Come how your are & celebrate!

How are proceeds from tickets used? - 2023 Performance & Classes are FREE!

All proceeds of tickets go directly into presenting the show.  In fact, ticket sales only account for 25% of what it costs to bring this beautiful dance concert to the community.  The other 75% of costs must be made up with fundraising in order to pay for the theater, dancers, musicians, stage crew, costumes, music, rehearsal space, licensing, and other many details that it takes to produce high quality theater.

We painstakingly keep the ticket price as low as possible to make sure that our performances remain accessible to people of diverse backgrounds.  We also sponsor 200 under-resourced resilient, and enthusiastic children to come see the show for free, making sure that they have access to experience this impactful work.

Family-Friendly Dance Classes - Perfect for the WHole Family! - Free Live Streamed on GWDC’s website OR In-Person IN OUR NEW DOWNTOWN OAKLAND STUDIO - 494 9th st., Oakland, CA.

All classes (1/2 hour online/ 1/2 hour to 1 hour In Person) are geared towards children and beginning movers, but the whole family will have fun! Whether you are a child, a parent, a former professional, or just curious about taking a dance class, you are welcome! No experience needed. All times in PST.

For all In-Person classes, N95masks must be worn. We will gift you a new N95 at the door.

Classes taught by GWDC’s company members - former soloists with: Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, Dance Theatre of Harlem, Martha Graham Company, Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble, Dayton Contemporary Dance Company, Dallas Black Dance Theater, Ballet Hispanico, Bill T. Jones/ Arnie Zane Company and Broadway.

JUNETEENTH 2023 DANCE CLASS SCHEDULE (Please scroll farther down for Wellness Workshops). 2024 Dates TBD.

WELLNESS Workshops

Juneteenth 2023 Wellness Workshops are held in our studio IN PERSON - 494 9th St., Oakland, CA