The Dance Things We're Thankful for in 2020

November 24, 2020

There’s a bit of a Thanksgiving tradition here at Dance Spirit: Every November, each of us editors makes a list of the danciest things we’re grateful for from the past year—performances, shows, dancers, choreographers; anything and everything that made us grateful to be a part of the dance world for another year.

And while our lists might look a little different this year (okay, a lot different) we’re still pretty darn grateful to be a part of the dance world. So without further ado, here are our #gratitude journals, 2020 edition.

Thomas Ford, Contributing Editor

I am most thankful to you, our readers—a generation that champions inclusion and progress. You’re why I’m here, and why I get to tell incredible stories at the intersection of dance and important cultural events. I’m grateful for the small strides our beloved dance community has made in the wake of renewed calls for racial and social justice. I’m thankful (honored) to have reported on the obstacles that Black women face in the dance industry, to have chatted with the coolest #TikTokers in all the land, and to have been invited to be a part of the talented Dance Spirit and Dance Media teams.

Oh, oh! AND, I’m thankful for the #SavageChallenge, because, seriously, what would 2020 have been without it? (Thanks, @keke.janajay!)

Nyamekye Smith, Assistant Editor

I’ve been channeling gratitude in every possible moment to get through the numerous challenges this year has presented the world with. When I thought about the biggest contributor to my sanity throughout everything (COVID-19 and life in general), dance resonated the deepest. Whether I was watching a mind-blowing dance-filled production, taking a fun online class, or freestyling while sitting on my bed, dance took my mind to all the places I couldn’t go physically in 2020.

I’m thankful to have taken my first class from Parris Goebel. (Who knew it’d be via Instagram live?) I’m thankful for the wild creativity behind this year’s SavagexFenty show, and Parris’s creativity on all levels. (Okay, I guess I’m just generally thankful for Parris Goebel). I’m grateful that I had the chance to experience my first socially-distanced dance convention at Monsters of Hip Hop! Although dancing in a mask is no joke, getting to step outside of my tiny bedroom and really dance after months of isolation—without being overly-cautious about space—was much needed. I’m also really thankful for JaQuel Knight for creating the Dancers’ Relief Fund and Thom White for creating the Zoom-inspired dance concept video that truly blew my mind.

I’m forever thankful for the joy that dance continues to spread during tough times, and the fact that it serves as a means for us to reflect, heal, learn, and grow in so many ways. The dance world has always naturally intertwined with positive movements and messages that push the world into a more positive space, and I’m beyond thankful to be a part of it.

Amanda Sherwin, Managing Editor

This year, I’m filled with gratitude to be part of a dance community that is more creative, resilient, and compassionate than ever.

I’m thankful for the dancers who opened up about their quarantine experience in our #SocialDisDancing series, reminding us all that we don’t have to face this year alone. I’m also thankful for the ways that dance has been used as activism, from fundraising to protests to starting long-overdue dialogues on uprooting racism in our schools and studios.

Finally, I’m thankful for all the ways dancers have turned this joke of a year into…just that. From laughing about virtual class struggles of which we can all relate, to the wonderful wacky world that is dancer TikTok, relatable dance humor is at least 50% of how I’ve gotten through 2020, so by all means keep it coming!

Cadence Neenan, Senior Editor

It’s been a tough year, folks. And while I’ll be the first to admit that I don’t feel thankful every second of every day, I do feel thankful for the amazing, vibrant, ever-changing dance world at least once a day. I’m thankful that I get to spend every day reading, writing, and talking about this amazing, vibrant, ever-changing world, and that I get to work with colleagues and coworkers who love it as much as I do.

I’m thankful that we got a season of “Dancing with the Stars,” pandemic edition—and that we made it through that season without a single case of COVID-19. Hats off to the “DWTS” team for that one! I’m thankful that the dance world has found a home on TikTok, and that people from around the world have used the app as a place to connect over their love of dance. (I’m also grateful that TikTok produced #Ratatousical.) I’m thankful that many of us took this moment on pause to reflect, and start having some tough conversations around race, racism, and difference in the dance world—as overdue as they might be. And I’m thankful, especially, to all of our wonderful Dance Spirit readers for making my job so meaningful (and fun).