Nick M. Daniels aims to spotlight the ‘world-class dancers here in Pittsburgh’
by Genea L. Webb, For New Pittsburgh Courier
Nick M. Daniels loves creating and telling stories through dance, film and choreography. Hailing from McKeesport, his interest in the arts initially developed while at McKeesport High School.
“At that time, the high school had its theater and high school musical and that was a big thing for me,” said Daniels, the 1986 graduate. “Even when I was in junior high school I was always involved in music because not only am I a choreographer, I’m also a radiographer and a musician as well. I play organ, piano, several brass instruments and several woodwind instruments—and that translates into me writing a lot of music for my choreography.”
After graduating from McKeesport and a brief stint in New York, Daniels enrolled at Slippery Rock University in pursuit of his bachelor of arts degree in Dance (which he obtained in the early ‘90s.). While there he created the D.A.N.A. Movement Ensemble (Dancers Against Normal Actions). The politically based, three-core member dance company focuses on how the body emotes emotion. D.A.N.A. Movement Ensemble has performed in numerous places in Pittsburgh, including the Three Rivers Arts Festival, Carnegie Museum, and alongside the Pittsburgh Arts Council. He has also performed internationally.
“My dance allows me to have my opinion and get my voice heard,” he told the New Pittsburgh Courier in an exclusive interview. “I like to prompt discussion with the work that I do. The work makes you think and it prompts questions. We are all hunkered down with this (coronavirus) and I’m able to create and it takes me away, it allows me to escape. There’s a need for Black men’s voices to be heard in dance.”
Daniels resurrected Pittsburgh Dance Week a few years back. But that was with in-person performances for a live audience. Of course, due to the coronavirus pandemic, live audiences are a no-go. But for Daniels, the show goes on—virtually.
Pittsburgh Dance Week 2020 is happening this week, with its beginnings on Monday, April 6. On Wednesday, April 8 at 6 p.m., there is a scheduled “Pittsburgh Dance Talk” hosted by Daniels, featuring Jane Vranish, Randal Miller and Norma Jean Barnes. On Thursday, April 9, it’s a “Day of Dance” with the Legacy Arts Project. Scheduled performers include Kia Davenport (1 p.m. to 2:15 p.m.), Chrisala Brown (2:30 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.), Ira Cambric (4 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.), and Ebony Naimah Zanuwa (5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m.). On Friday, April 10, there will be “Folkdances—Visual Diversion” by the D.A.N.A. Movement Ensemble at 7 p.m. The events on Saturday, April 11 include a podcast, “The Overview Effect” at noon and a watch party with Shana Simmons at 7:30 p.m.
To see all the events or for more information, visit pghdanceweek.danamovement.com or The DANA Movement Facebook page.
Although he is not sure of its genesis, Daniels said the Pittsburgh Dance Council started Pittsburgh Dance Week years ago as a way to spotlight the amazing dance talent that hailed in the Golden Triangle. The event was stopped until he decided to start it up again in 2018.
“Pittsburgh is the home to many nationally and internationally renowned dance artists looking to show pride. The idea of bringing Pittsburgh Dance Week back to the city after years of absence has been well received,” he said. “I want people to see dance and Pittsburgh dance and see that there are world-class dancers here in Pittsburgh that people can support. If New York can do it and California can do it and all these other places, why can’t we celebrate our own artists?”
(ABOUT THE TOP PHOTO: NICK M. DANIELS)