Talking Feet: Feeling Flatfoot’s Origins

Join us on February 13 from 7:00 to 8:30 PM for a special performance by Brinae Ali, accompanied by a talented guitarist, as they celebrate the rich tradition of buck dancing in honor of the legendary Algia Mae Hinton. This dynamic evening will feature a performance of Talking Feet a rendition of Algia Mae Hinton’s piece inspired by the roots of African American step dance and its deep connections to old-time music. Brinae Ali’s skillful interpretation brings these traditions to life, showcasing the powerful storytelling and rhythmic precision that define buck dancing.

The performance will also serve as an educational and celebratory moment within the context of the exhibition I’ve Endured: Women of Old Time Music. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the intersection of history, music, and dance, and learn more about the cultural legacies that continue to inspire contemporary artists today.

Performer Bio

Alexandria “Brinae Ali” Bradley was born and raised in Flint, Michigan and is an interdisciplinary artist who believes in using the power of the arts to transform the human spirit.

Among Brinae’s many roles, she is currently a lecturer at Johns Hopkins Peabody Conservatory, a member of the Baltimore Jazz Collective, the inaugural Performing Artist in Residence at Baltimore’s Creative Alliance, and cultural ambassador and artist in residence with Next Level-USA and the U.S. Department of State Education and Cultural Affairs. Ali is also a National Dance Project Grant, Chamber Music America New Jazz Works, and Ruby Artist recipient and Art for Social Change Fellow through Johns Hopkins University’s Inheritance Baltimore/Billie Holiday Center for Liberation Arts for a work in progress archival performative process called the “Baby Laurence Legacy Project.”

Brinae has served as the artistic director of Tapology, Inc., Fourth Wall Arts Salon, and Sound and Movement, LLC. She is the recipient of the Best Short Play Award at the Downtown Urban Theater Festival and the Vox Populi Independence Music Award. Her Broadway and Off-Broadway experiences include Shuffle Along and STOMP. She was also a feature dancer in  the TV/Film drama miniseries Lady In The Lake.