Today we’d like to introduce you to Pretty Cultured.
Let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
Pretty Cultured began with two dancers- both alums of Sam Houston State University’s Dance Program and at the time graduate students in the Cross Cultural Studies program at University of Houston Clear Lake. We were looking to bridge our artistic and liberal arts backgrounds into purposeful programming. Both Felicia Thomas and I, Stacey Allen, were both performing professionally in the Houston area and began the Pretty Cultured Vlog. On the Pretty Cultured Vlog on YouTube we discussed a variety of social and cultural issues. One of our most viewed videos, was about Sarah Baartman– which in one way or another can be defined as a segway into what Pretty Cultured has grown into today. Because we were both dancers, we started submitting choreography into festivals. Our first submission was to the “Know Your Roots” Festival in NYC at the legendary 92nd Street Y. We extended that piece, “New Statement” into a fuller length work and applied for the Houston Fringe Festival and we have been creating and performing ever since. Since then, we have met and had the honor to add Lindsay Gary to our collaborative, and have performed at various venues in Houston, at Duke University, created more full length works such as “in all her glory”, taught master classes and workshops and created our very own semi-annual dance workshop entitled “Movement Passport.”
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Well of course there have been challenges. Although I am speaking on behalf of Pretty Cultured, I know for me one of the biggest obstacles have been continuing the art-making process as our business and personal lives have changed. Since our inception, Felicia and I have both gotten married and I also have a son who will be two in March. Lindsay is also a historian and a multidisciplinary artist. We have learned to juggle our time between multiple artistic projects, full time employment while maintaining work/home life balance.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Pretty Cultured is an artistic collaboration between three Houston based professional dancers. We believe that art can be used to dialogue and raise awareness about tough social, cultural, and religious topics. We specializing in thought provoking and socially responsible dance performance and dance workshops. Many community members may know us for both our performance pieces and our semi-annual workshop entitled “Movement Passport.” We are proud of the quality of work we have produced, our ability to sustain this collaboration since 2012, and the community outreach we have done with Movement Passport. What really sets us apart, particularly in the Houston arts scene, is that we are 3 black women, who in addition to our other artistic projects, come together and make the dance that we do. We have had the opportunity to perform and speak about our pieces in places from Duke University to the 92nd Street Y.
What were you like growing up?
Lindsay
“As a child I was very active and loved to dance. I talked a lot and asked a lot of questions. My parents always say “why?” was my favorite question. I was fearless—I stood up for myself and others. I stood up to teachers and my peers. I was involved in so many activities—dance, violin, choir, piano, swimming, Girl Scouts, horseback riding, etc. I was very wise for my age, as if I’d been here before.”
Felicia
“I was curious and quiet and always wanted to explore things, whether it was through reading my books or playing with my microscope and telescope. I began attending a fine arts school in elementary and continued exploring through dance, theatre, creative writing, and playing the flute. “
Stacey
“I know growing up, I had a strong interest in learning. During times many children my age would play outside or watch television, I would be reading books. I have fond memories of doing a variety of artistic projects and taking trips to visit historical sites. Around my junior year of high school, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in dance.”
Contact Info:
- Email: prettycultured@gmail.com
- Instagram: @pretty_cultured
- Facebook: Pretty Culured
Image Credit:
Images are by Gerald Thomas and Ronald Jones
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
