first works

The radical joy starts this Thursday

Experience Activist Dance Theater that takes on joy as the ultimate expression of resistance! 
CONTRA-TIEMPO Los Angeles' Activist Dance Theater Free residency events March 18-25
“The new face of Los Angeles dance, the new voice as well…”
–Los Angeles Times
Get ready to share radical joy through performance, all-ages dance workshops and community conversation. Founded and directed by Ana Maria Alvarez, CONTRA-TIEMPO has been dedicated to transforming the world through dance for over 15 years. Through their unique and dynamic dance-theater work, both on and off stage, CONTRA-TIEMPO builds community, facilitates dialogue, and moves us to imagine what is possible in the world.
Register now for free tickets
“a much-needed antidote to the times we live in… about as much fun as you can legally have” –CLTure
joyUs justUS
joyUS justUS Performance
Watch with us Thursday, March 18, 7:30 PM EST
Watch On Demand March 19-21

joyUS justUS reclaims the narrative of people of color in this country and flips it on its head through stories of joy collected from communities of color in South Los Angeles.

Register for virtual stage tickets

Dancing Familias
Dancing Familias Workshop
Saturday, March 20, 11 AM EST

A radical joy getdown for the whole family! Groove with CONTRA-TIEMPO in their full-body dance class designed for all levels—caregivers, parents, kiddos or anyone who wants to work that radical joy muscle!

Register for Zoom link

Shey Rivera Ríos, photo by Erin X. Smithers
A Place at The Table
Tuesday, March 23, 5 PM EST

CONTRA-TIEMPO Artistic Director Ana Maria Alvarez talks with fierce creators about how they work as activists and artists in this world.

Providence-based interdisciplinary artist, cultural strategist, and arts administrator Shey Rivera Ríos takes their place at the table for the FirstWorks installment of this weekly series.

Register for Zoom link

Community Dance Class
Community Dance Class
Thursday, March 25, 5:30 PM EST

Get down in CONTRA-TIEMPO’s weekly community class! Whether you need to shake off a day at work or school, or you want to continue in your dance training, this class is designed for everyone.

Register for Zoom link

New England Foundation for the Arts
Funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies.
FirstWorks gratefully thanks all our donors, sponsors, partners, and community for their support.