Loving Still

From October 2 – December 10, RAWdance will be in residence at Jackson Square’s 836M Gallery for the creation and performance of Loving Still, a new evening-length dance work by Co-Artistic Directors Ryan T. Smith and Wendy Rein. Developed through a public rehearsal process, the work will feature a cast of 10 dancers in a series of duets of men in love. Each duet is inspired by photographs in Loving: A Photographic History of Men in Love, 1850s -1950s, a book by Hugh Nini and Neal Treadwell featuring more than 300 previously unpublished photos representing what was once considered “forbidden love.”

Courtesy of the Nini-Treadwell Collection/LOVING, select photos from the book will be reproduced in large format and displayed in the gallery throughout the two-month residency. The images’ subjects illustrate a cross-section of society over a span of approximately 100 years, from members of the military to the heirs of high society.

Drawing connections to the neighborhood’s roots, the company will also use this project to excavate and highlight the queer history of the historic Jackson Square area where 836M is located.

An opening reception will take place on October 12 at 6:30 pm.
The premiere performances will take place December 8 – 10. Further details will be announced closer to the residency period.

Photo by Hillary Goidell