BALTIMORE – Brinae Ali, an interdisciplinary artist, is making a splash in our community by documenting Baltimore’s rich history through art and dance.
Ali from Flint, Michigan, combines culture, music, tap and dance.
“I wouldn’t be where I am today if I didn’t have that,” Ali said.
Her life’s path took her to the stages of Broadway and beyond, and fortunately for us, it brought her to Baltimore City.
“People thought I was crazy to move here,” Ali said.
Ali was selected as the first Artist in Residence by the Baltimore Creative Alliance and focused her studies on legendary Baltimore tap dancer and artist Baby Laurence.
“His story is not left in the dust or lost in the jail cells or in conversations where people say he’s a drug addict. There’s more to it than that,” Ali said. “I’m from Flint, I have family in Detroit, I have family in Philadelphia, I’m not afraid to be here. I know there are untold stories and untold gems in the city that people often don’t know about.”
Ali looks at the development of bebop in the 1940s and 1950s and Baby Laurence’s deep connection to jazz heritage.
“So I’m documenting and archiving this experience through Baby Laurence’s lens, through my lens,” Ali said.
Ali is the curator of a documentary film, presentation and curriculum aimed at middle and high school students.
“I’m trying to get that across, especially to young people who are trying to put the phone down and be aware that they can put their shoes on and let that energy out,” Ali said. “You have some ideas, let’s do something with it.”
Ali said for her, the experience is about preserving the legacy and shaping the future.
“I’m excited to be here working with them and helping to make this happen and open the door for even more people to have this kind of opportunity,” Ali said.
