Reflections Dance Festival

Reflections is a unique dance festival featuring contemporary dancers and cultural practitioners, all artists of color. Co-presented in 2020 and 2021 by The Seattle Public Library and Friends of Waterfront Seattle, Reflections will return with a dynamic new lineup in 2023.

Reflections 2023

Filmed on the elegant stage of Seattle’s Pier 62 in August of 2022, the next Reflections will be presented in 2023 with a dynamic new lineup of artists and cultural practitioners. Reflections is co-presented with Friends of Waterfront Seattle, and the program’s lead partners are Office of the Waterfront and Civic Projects, Washington Community Alliance and Central District Forum for Arts & Ideas.

Reflections 2021

Reflections Dance Festival returned on Nov. 4, 2021, as a ray of light by artists of color during the pandemic, filmed on the elegant stage of Seattle’s Pier 62. 

 Watch Reflections’ 2021 installment of jaw-dropping beauty from amazing contemporary dancers and cultural groups. 

Reflections 2021 Artists

Reflections’ 2021 dynamic lineup featured the following artists and cultural practitioners, whose performances were filmed by Futsum Tsegai, filmmaker and artist-in-residence for The Seattle Public Library. Tsegai also filmed Reflections 2020.

Abriel Johnny (Cowichan and Tlingit): Dancer and civic leader Abriel Johnny shared a jingle dress dance as ceremony and remembrance.
The Coastal Collective - Aiyanna Reid (Cowlitz), Chayil Brooks, Drew Gorospe, Michaila Taylor: This quartet of modern dancers held up inclusive communities with joy, beauty and collectivity, moving to Nina Simone’s “The House of the Rising Sun.”
Giavonna White with Inner G: Educator and dancer Giavonna White chose Seattle children as her dream team for their Reflections performance, “Young, Gifted, and Black.” 
Larry Lancaster: 18-year-old dancer Lancaster performed courtesy of Pacific Northwest Ballet School, accompanied by classical violinist Swil Kanim (Lummi), whose song “Ascending Mourning” was dedicated to frontline health workers.
Makeda Ebube with Lungusu Malonga’s Traditional Congolese Ensemble: Veteran dancer Makeda Ebube, choreographer and artistic director of the Traditional Congolese Ensemble, celebrated the Motherland in her collaboration with Lungusu Malonga. 
Pasifika Wayfinders: This gorgeous dance ensemble brought to light stories of ancestors from each island in the Pacific; their program also uplifted their outstanding public health work around vaccine drives. 
Tloke Nahuake: Returning together to dance after two years, the family of traditional Aztec dancers brought prayer and a breathtaking moment of witness by the water.

Reflections 2020

If you could sum 2020 up with a dance what would it be? In 2020, during the first Reflections Dance Festival, five dazzling performers and dancers give a reply to “the question of the year” at the water’s edge on Pier 62. Ceremony, ritual, and movement with all its sacredness provide testament to being present to the changing times.

A unique dance festival in partnership with Friends of Waterfront Seattle, Seattle Art Museum and Seattle Office of Arts & Culture.

If you have a question or need help, Ask Us or call 206-386-4636.

Related Links

Sign up for our email newsletters

Get the latest about Library events, new programs and services and other Library news delivered to your inbox.

Sign up now

Ask Us

If you need help or have a question or suggestion, we want to hear from you. You can reach Library staff by chat, email or phone during open hours.

Support your Library

Find out how you can support your Library by donating money, books or your time as a volunteer.