At FUSEbox, a small west-Oakland restaurant tucked away amidst warehouses and victorian homes, diners were treated to a surprise performance by Antoine Hunter, an Oakland- based choreographer and dance artist who specializes in a unique blend of “Urban Jazz” choreography. “The audience was getting a bonus- free dance , good music and wonderful food on a beautiful Friday calm day in west Oakland!”

Antoine identifies as deaf/ hard of hearing and African American. He says ” I believe that arts itself, whose foundation is creative, is as an essential element of self-discovery.” Hunter’s Company, Urban Jazz Dance Company performs rigorous and thought- provoking choreography throughout the Bay Area. “URBAN is a convergence of artistic forces, where the raw energy, rooted in freedom, and syncopation of urban jazz is expressed through athletic body, a unique lyrical blend, and uncontrollable, passionate, bombastic dance”.

photo: Matt Haber

Antoine says that he greatly enjoyed dance anywhere® 2014, largely due to his interaction with the audience. “It was a small reunion… [the audience] enjoyed the dance so much that they asked for group pictures and began to dance with me a bit. They were in need to see dance and inspired to dance!” KQED Arts also stopped by to film his creative and interactive dance through the restaurant, sharing his piece in a segment on various dance anywhere® performances occurring throughout the Bay Area.

KQED

Antoine has participated in dance anywhere® since 2009. Last year he attracted a large crowd when he performed with Erin Carper in front of the fountain at Yerba Buena Gardens. In 2009 he danced with Urban Jazz Dance Company at the Cuban Cribe Festival in Oakland. Antoine participates in dance anywhere® because he thinks of the event as a spiritual practice. “dance anywhere® 2014 healed a lot of sprit that day as it was a time to dance in whatever emotion you were feeling…There is a freedom to express in dance anywhere®.”

photo: Weidong Yang

Post-Performance Improv – Oakland Museum of CA – dance anywhere 2012

For more information on Antoine Hunter visit his website and dance anywhere® page