Mission
To create opportunities for people to move, gather, and be human together.
What We Do
Rhythm of the People creates opportunities where people can reconnect with themselves, with one another, and with traditions that have so much to teach us. Through dance, music, events, classes, and public programming, we imagine ways to bring people together.
What It Is
To put it plainly, our work is rooted in Black and Brown social dance traditions and Asian contemplative practices that have been passed down through generations. These are old and proven ways of gathering, celebrating, and understanding ourselves. We continue to learn, practice and grow because of them. And we hope to carry the traditions - and the people who carry them - with gratitude, humility, and care.
The People
ROTP is driven by the collective energy of many people. Its direction is shaped by the conversations, teachings, and experiences of those who have poured into this work - and Us in the process.
We thank our elders, peers, culture bearers, and community leaders. Thank you for laying a foundation for us to learn from and build on.
Special thanks to the following people and organizations for their guidance, support, and inspiration - check them out!
Dani Tirrell, Amy O'Neal, Sekou Heru, Dufon Smith, Alfredo Vergara, Rob Santiago, Chris Kaku, Tracey Wong, Abdiel Jacobsen, Devon Cady-Lee, Marvin G., Riz Rollins, Joey Webb, Lesar S., Massive Monkees: The Beacon, 206 Zulu, The Goodfoot Collective, NW Tap Connection, STG and many more.
Special thanks to the following people and organizations for their guidance, support, and inspiration: Dani Tirrell, Amy O'Neal, Sekou Heru, Dufon Smith, Alfredo Vergara, Rob Santiago, Chris Kaku, Tracey Wong, Abdiel Jacobsen, Devon Cady-Lee, Marvin G., Riz Rollins, Joey Webb, Lesar S., Massive Monkees: The Beacon, 206 Zulu, The Goodfoot Collective, STG and many more.
Land
ROTP gathers on the ancestral lands of Coast Salish peoples, the original stewards of what we now call Seattle. This land was never ceded. We are grateful to move and build community here, and we are committed to supporting Coast Salish peoples' ongoing presence and sovereignty. Learn more here →
Labor
The dance forms, movement practices, and cultural traditions at the center of this work were created and sustained by Black, Brown, Asian, Indigenous and Queer communities who were not always credited, compensated, or protected for that labor.