S2: Ep 19: Blanche Brown & the History of Dance in the Bay Area
Season 2 Episode 19: Blanche Brown
Our first guest in the History of Dance series is a Dancer, Choreographer, Haitian Dance teacher, and mother of our Co-Host and Producer, Susan. Blanche Brown began dancing while studying at San Francisco State University, and although she initially left to support her husband’s political career and raise their three children, she returned at 35 to receive her Masters in Physical Education with an emphasis in Dance. In the 1970’s, she joined the Wajumbe Performance Ensemble, touring with them in Nigeria for an international dance festival called Festic 72. Her time in Nigeria inspired her to become Priestess of Oshun in the Yoruba Tradition.
Blanche has since become a teacher, and founded her own dance company in San Francisco called Group Petit La Croix. As Choreographer and Artistic Director, Blanche toured with her group throughout the Western United States for 15 years. She also became the Board President for the San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival and served on the San Francisco Art Commission. Though she has attempted retiring four times, she cannot keep herself from her life’s passion. At 86, Blanche still teaches Haitian Dance at ODC Dance Commons in the city’s Mission District.
For more information about Blanche Brown, please visit: https://dancersgroup.org/2015/05/teacher-priestess-dancer-blanche-brown/
https://odc.dance/gdpafrohaitian
Meet Blanche Brown!
