Dance is, and always has been, an artistic way for people to express themselves and share their culture with others. In Portland, many cultural dance programs have left their mark on our community, including Chinese dancing, Polynesian dancing, and Flamenco dancing. These art forms encourage the audience to appreciate diverse forms of dance and support them by going to shows.
The Oregon Chinese Coalition is centered around encouraging Chinese culture to be celebrated and is extremely involved in the dance world with their dance group, “Jade Dance Team,” who perform in local events including the Portland Rose Parade and Portland Chinese Festival. The Jade Dance Team was created in 2022 when three high schoolers wanted to better embrace their culture through dance. The team has since grown to 30 members who are deeply passionate about sharing their culture through dance.
Emily Jiang, the President of the Jade Dance Team, shares that, “Our performances showcase the power and beauty of cultural dance, making audiences who might not have seen these styles before, appreciate them.” The team is entirely student-led and they have created a community for dancers to connect over a shared passion for Chinese dancing. “We want our performances to showcase the beauty of Chinese culture [and] to spread cultural awareness,” Jiang explains.
The Jade Dance Team allows a space for Chinese culture to flourish and be recognized by the Portland community. It is important to keep this space specifically centered around youth to keep cultural traditions alive. Jiang adds, “for the younger generation of people who grow away from their culture over time, having these outlets and communities of people who share a similar culture is important to preserving cultural traditions.” She continues, “I think dance connects everyone, like a universal language. Having these programs allows people to build and celebrate their identity.” Jiang hopes that the Jade Dance Team will continue performing and reach an even wider audience.
Another cultural dance program found near Portland is the Teva Oriata Polynesian Dance Troupe. The troupe offers classes that teach Polynesian dance, specifically Tahitian dance and culture. The troupe was created to share the meaning of Tahitian dance. Angie Jackman, the “Ra’atira,” meaning director of the dance troupe, was born and raised in Hawaii. She wanted to share her culture with the Pacific Northwest and create a community for Polynesian dance. The troupe performs across Portland in cultural festivals, community gatherings, and local events, growing into something very special for the community.
Jackman emphasizes the importance of cultural dance, not just because of the dancing itself, but for its meaning. She explains, “we inspire others by showing that cultural dance is more than performance — it’s identity, storytelling, and connection.” These are essential components when learning about cultural dances, especially for younger generations to preserve their heritage. Jackman continues, “our dancers grow not only in skill but in confidence and cultural awareness, and that often motivates others to explore their own heritage or step outside their comfort zone to learn something new.” Cultural dance programs are a key component in providing safe spaces for people to celebrate their culture as they “provide a space for people to feel seen, represented, and connected, while also educating the broader community in a meaningful and engaging way,” Jackman states. Jackman says that Teva Oriata aims to provide a safe space where students are able to proudly share their cultural traditions in public.
Espacio Flamenco is a dance studio located in Southwest Portland. Established in 2016, it not only teaches Flamenco, but the music and culture that comes with learning the dance. Brenna McDonald, the co-director of Espacio Flamenco, shares that “Flamenco is a really powerful, expressive art form, and it is very special to be able to practice it in Portland and to have a community of people.” For Espacio Flamenco, participation in local Flamenco festivals is very important. Alongside other Flamenco organizations, they showcase their culture and enthusiasm for Flamenco. They even invite Flamenco artists from Spain. Inviting artists from Spain helps make a direct connection between people to better understand Spanish culture and Flamenco dance.
Franklin is home to many cultural dance programs as well. Dances offer creativity and are an essential part of many student’s identities. Arts Alive is a performance at Franklin that runs through the end of April to the beginning of May, showcasing several student choreography pieces, many of them centered around an aspect of the student’s culture. The dances include Hip-Hop, K-Pop, Folklorico, Vietnamese Fan dancing, and Reggaeton. These diverse dance styles allow students to express themselves in various forms that feel authentic to their identities. Cultural dances offer a perspective into a student’s identity and heritage and allows them to expand their knowledge.
In order to support these programs and allow Portland to continue providing close cultural connections, spaces for dance programs need to have affordable accessibility. People can support these dance programs by going to their shows at schools, local events, and parks. Supporting cultural dance programs allows diverse identities to flourish in the Portland community. Whether it is a small Folklorico dance group at an elementary school performing at their assembly, or a coalition of professional dancers, cultural dance programs are essential for preserving diverse cultures.
