Cover of Black Dance Magazine, Winter 2020 issue

Discover Dance Writing

By Camryn Eaglin

During my internship at Life as a Modern Dancer, one of my main tasks was to research and review different dance sites and publications. Over the course of my time, I have reviewed 18 in total. I have been able to recognize and conceptualize just how rich the dance world is with information. Dance writers are doing the work to analyze, discuss, and uncover our ever-evolving community. Below I have listed all of the publications I reviewed in alphabetical order. 

1. Black Dance Magazine
2. Contact Quarterly
3. Fjord Review
4. Dance Enthusiast
5. Dancegeist
6. Dance Magazine
7. Dance Teacher 
8. DIY Dancer
9. Dance Spirit Magazine
10. In Dance
11. Infinite Body
12. kNOwBOX dance
13. Life as a Modern Dancer
14. loveDANCEmore
15. NY Times
16. Pointe Magazine
17. Stance on Dance
18. thINKingdance

The community is moving into a space where social and political conversations are being had more often and openly in the context of dance. It’s notable just how diverse our community is in terms of race, culture, ethnicity, ability, gender, sexuality, and more. Stance on Dance is particularly intentional in amplifying the voices of artists identifying as POC, queer, and disabled. They are working to dismantle stereotypical dance norms. One of my favorite projects on their website is “Discussing Disability in Dance,” which is a series of interviews with dance artists with disabilities, accompanied by brilliant visual art. Next, Black Dance Magazine is a publication presenting authentic representations of black dancers. “What is the color of an arabesque? What is the complexion of a plié?” These rhetorical questions find their home on the welcome page of the website, immediately making you think. Dancegeist is another website that promotes inclusion and community voice. Be sure to check out their “List of Lists Section,” which I was particularly glued to. The site is dedicated to action and boldly calls for change in specific areas of the community. These three publications stood out to me as having a clear purpose in creating a platform and fostering social change.

As someone who loves media and graphic content, websites with strong graphic execution include Fjord Review, whose sleek website specializes in the review of ballet and contemporary performances and kNOwBOX dance, whose content specifically connects digital media with dance. Their mission is to discover what can exist outside of a studio context and empower dancers on and offline. DIY Dancer is also an aesthetically polished website/publication that places value on graphic design, media, audio and aesthetic. This is especially strong within their print magazine’s graphic design elements, which adds to its appeal and readability. 

Lastly, some stand out websites that serve as hubs for “everything dance” include Life as a Modern Dancer, Dance Enthusiast, thINKing Dance, and Dance Magazine. There is nothing like a website where you can find all of the information you need, where the content is endless. From conversations on social and political issues, to techniques, to current events, to exercises, to interviews and reviews; these websites truly cater to any dancer or artist. These sites are conversational in nature and leave ample space for the reader to sponge information. I found myself getting lost in the content with so many topics to explore, which I love as a person with so many interests.

All of these websites are unique in their own right and contribute to a larger conversation by fostering growth within our community. I challenge those reading this, to do like I did, and check out at least two websites a week!

Cover of DIY Dancer magazine, issue 03

Camryn Eaglin is a dancer and writer earning a Bachelor of Science in Dance and a minor in Broadcast Journalism from Wayne State University. She is currently an intern with Life as a Modern Dancer.