How did you spend your weekend?
I spent my weekend dancing! I’ve been dancing bachata for a few years now, and while this is a part of my personal life, I had to share this experience on LinkedIn because it connects deeply with my professional work as an arts advocate.
The Terra Livre Dance Congress was a a weekend of workshops & dancing 🕺 as well as a celebration of connection, creativity, and choice. What made this event truly special was its emphasis on freedom in partner roles. Traditionally, partner dance is defined by roles where the man leads and the woman follows. Instead, at this event, we let go of those roles and chose the roles we wanted—sometimes leading, sometimes following, and even switching between roles in one dance 🌀. This concept of role rotation created a truly safe and inclusive space where the focus was on our shared passion: the dance itself! The result? Too many beautiful and heartwarming micro-moments to count. 🫶✨
As an arts educator, I couldn’t help but reflect on how the arts—whether through dance, music, or theatre—provide spaces for self-expression, freedom, and connection. The lessons I took from this weekend are the same ones I aim to bring to my work: breaking down barriers, celebrating individuality, and building supportive, creative communities. 🌍🎭 That’s where the magic happens!
#DanceIsFreedom #ArtsAndExpression #ArtsEducator #Inclusivity #Freedom #Connection #Bachata #RoleRotation
Elana Shyong 