The Era Footwork Collective Residency

The Era Footwork Collective Residency
SPRING: February 11-15, 2026

The following workshops and events are open to all Harvard students. No experience necessary. Please RSVP!

Sign up for an Era Footwork workshop, co-produced by AADT, 11am-1pm Saturday, February 14 at the Harvard Dance Center, open to all students. 

Sign up for the freestyle battle workshop with Stackz and Era, 8-9:30pm February 12 at the Dance Center:

PLUS, the Era will collaborate with Stiggity Stackz, in residence at the OFA Dance Program: 
Explore the open studios with Stiggity Stackz (featuring The Era): 

Sign up to attend the annual Infinite Possibilities (through Footwork this year, featuring The Era) event. 

The Era Footwork Collective Residency
 

The Era Footwork Collective Residency is a three-part, creative research-driven collaboration with the Era, a Chicago based-footwork collective, Stiggity Stackz, a Boston-based leader in the freestyle dance culture and the Office for the Arts, including the OFA Dance Program and Harvard Choruses, and the Black Arts Collective (our student partners). Structured to allow for the kind creative research artists practice, with students, faculty and the community at the center of this research, the project will combine deep artistic engagement with creative development, curricular connections and community building through the arts. In multiple visits during AY25-26 with the Era and Stackz, students will immerse themselves in various touch points: discussions in the classroom, film screenings in the Houses, participation in co-curricular classes at the Harvard Dance Center and conversations during informal gatherings such as meals or attending other arts events. This immersion exchange emphasizes process-based learning from culture bearers, fostering a deeper understanding of dance, creativity, storytelling, community and the professional paths of artists and arts collectives,

The goals for this residency seek to: 

• Engage with students and build connections  
• Collaborate with faculty and build curricular connections  
• Discover and plan for a major student-driven Arts Fest event  
• Connect with Boston communities via local freestyle dancer Stiggity Stackz  
• Teach the history and culture of Chicago footwork, a Black invented and innovating art form

Public Events for the Fall Segment of the Residency

Wednesday, October 15  

• 6:00-7:30pm: House Class, part of OFA Dance Program's Community Classes , Harvard Dance Center , 66 Garden Street 
  • Take the Dance Program's regular House class taught by Rhythm, and with DJ Luna del Floor, with The Era!
• 7:30-9:00pm: Hip-Hop Class, part of OFA Dance Program's Community Classes , Harvard Dance Center , 66 Garden Street 
  • Take the Dance Program's regular Hip-Hop class taught by Stiggity Stackz, with The Era! 

Thursday, October 16  

• 12:00-1:00pm: Bring-Your-Lunch Talk featuring The Era and Windborne Singers, Holden Chapel, Harvard Yard
  • This discussion will explore collaboration that builds bridges in seemingly opposite artmaking. And who knows? Maybe they will do a "proof of concept" mash-up of Chicago Footwork and traditional harmonies!  Register for The Era and Windborne Talk!
• 7:00-9:00pm: Lab Session, hosted by Black Arts Collective, Beren Rooftop, Winthrop House
  • Join a movement workshop and interactive discussion featuring The Era, Stiggity Stackz and other surprise guests. An all-star lineup!  Register for the Lab Session!

Friday, October 17

• 4:30pm: Join The Era as they participate in a celebratory procession with CONTRA-TIEMPO from Grays Hall to Harvard Dance Center.   

Sunday, October 19  

• 2:00-3:00pm: Arts Fest 2026 Student Discovery and Engagement Meeting with The Era, OFA, 74 Mount Auburn Street.
  • Want to be part of planning one of the largest events at Arts Fest 2026? The Era will be working directly with students to discover what this dynamic event will be: a cipher? a dance party? A battle? Will it feature film or visual arts, fashion or poetry. Be part of the organizing team and come to this Student Discovery and Engagement Meeting !
• 7:00-11:00pm (doors at 6pm): Stackin Stylez freestyle dance battle, Middle East Club (downstairs), 472-480 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge 
  • Experience the energy and creativity of this renowned freestyle dance festival that will bring you into the heart of freestyle dance culture, organized by Stiggity Stackz. Dancers at the top of their field will be battling and showcasing– including The Era!
  • Stackin’ Stylez FREE ticket sign-up form for Harvard students  

Curricular Connections 

A Black History of Electronic Dance Music by Dr. George Aumoithe (History; African and African American Studies) 

Everyday I’m Hustlin’ by Professor Daniel Agbiboa (FY Seminar) 

Broadway Musicals: History, Race and Performance by Professor Carol Oja (FY Seminar) 

Oral Histories and Archives by Professor Andi Remoquillo (Hist & Lit) 

Partnerships 

Black Arts Collective 

Harvard Choruses 

Stiggity Stackz 

Pforzheimer House 

Winthrop House 

Kirkland House 

This residency is made possible through Peter Ivers Artist Fund, managed by the Office for the Arts.