Celebrate Mantua

A citation from the Mayor of Philadelphia reads, in part: "This year, to commemorate America's 250th Anniversary, Celebrate Mantua centers on the theme “250 Black Moves” with the objective to experience Black movement - dance, rhythm, activism, and advocacy - as central to American history. Commendably, this provides a powerful counterpoint to the commemorative events that do not spotlight, or do not feature as fully, the creativity or contributions of Black voices. Furtherm

During the day there are 200 youth participants in eight youth dance companies, dance classes, Zumba, five drill teams, and plenty of food trucks, building up to a community dance party. The evening performance on the main stage features PHILADANCO, DANCE IQUAIL!, Native Nations Dance Theater, plus seven other professional companies.

Movement is more than dance—it's history, culture, resilience, and community. On this episode of Insight, we welcome Iquail Shaheed, Executive Artistic Director of DANCE IQUAIL!, to discuss the upcoming Celebrate Mantua Festival and this year's inspiring theme, "250 Black Moves."

"You don't have Philly without West Philly. And you don't have West Philly without Mantua." - Dr. Iquail Shaheed in a radio spot on KYW.

At his Celebrate Mantua Festival this weekend, Philadelphia choreographer Iquail Shaheed will pay tribute to the nation’s 250th birthday by presenting 250 dance moves created by or associated with Black Americans.

Dr. Iquail Shaheed is the CEO and Artistic Director of Dance Iquail, a Philadelphia-based organization that disrupts the narrative that performing arts are inaccessible to marginalized communities. By empowering Black and brown artists to reclaim their narratives, Dance Iquail addresses systemic racism and homophobia, creating safe spaces for creativity and self-expression.