JCC 
J Camps 
Gordon Center 
Overview
In 2024, the Gordon Center, in partnership with the Baltimore Black Dance Collective, hosts a celebration of Black Dance in America during the month of February as part of Black History Month.
On Thursday, February 15, the Gordon Center presents CELEBRATION: Uplifting and Honoring the Culture and History of Black Dance, featuring original dance performances by local artists, companies, and dance studios, in a celebration of the history, diversity, and beauty that resides within African American Culture through the voices of community artists from around Baltimore County. The showcase highlighted select dance works from the wonderfully diverse and eclectic range of our local dance community. Companies include: Full Circle Dance Company, Keur Khaleyi African Dance & Cultural Institute, Inc., and Stephanie Powell Danse Ensemble.
On Thursday, February 29, the Gordon welcomes the award-winning Philadelphia Dance Company (Philadanco!) – a nonprofit organization that presents the highest quality of professional dance performance and cultivates the skills of emerging and professional dancers and choreographers in a nurturing environment, while increasing the appreciation of dance among its many communities. Across the nation and around the world, the company is celebrated for its innovation, creativity, and preservation of predominantly African-American traditions in dance. More at philadanco.org.
As part of an educational outreach initiative, the Gordon also welcomes over 1000 Middle and High School students from Baltimore County Public Schools to experience professional dance companies on the Gordon stage.
This outreach is supported by the Baltimore County Commission on Arts and Sciences.
2023 Program
On February 7-8, over 1000 Middle and High School students at Baltimore County Public Schools experienced the Sole Defined dance company on the Gordon stage, followed by a public performance on the evening of Wednesday, February 8. Based in Washington D.C., Sole Defined is the area’s leading arts organization specializing in percussive dance — using the body as an instrument to create musical expression. Advancing styles such as Tap, Stepping, Body Percussion, Sand Dance and Gumboot, this BIPOC led company infuses powerful skills to delight and inspire audiences.
On Thursday, February 16, the Gordon Center hosted CELEBRATION: Uplifting and Honoring the Culture and History of Black Dance, featuring original dance performances by local artists, companies, and dance studios, in a celebration of the history, diversity, and beauty that resides within African American Culture through the voices of community artists from around Baltimore County. The showcase highlighted select dance works from the wonderfully diverse and eclectic range of our local dance community. Companies include: Full Circle Dance Company, Keur Khaleyi African Dance & Cultural Institute, Inc., Stephanie Powell Danse Ensemble, and Dance Baltimore.
On Tuesday, February 28, the Gordon welcomed the innovative touring company Hiplet Ballerinas to the stage for a public performance. Fusing classical ballet pointe technique with African, Latin, Hip-Hop and urban dance styles that are rooted in communities of color, Hiplet performances showcase their trademark sass, hip movements, and struts against popular music from Black Violin to Beyoncé.