Using the deceptively simple topic of hair as the organizing principle – how hair color, length, and varying degrees of curl affect our definitions of ‘good hair’ and ‘bad hair’ both within and outside of the African American community – Hair Parties encourage participants to re-examine closely-held beliefs about themselves, society, class, race, gender, age and individual beauty.

Political, fun and sometimes raucous, Hair Parties combine conversation, guided movement explorations and performance highlights from Urban Bush Women’s dance/theater piece Hair & Other Stories.

The workshop at the Ann Arbor YMCA takes place at 1:30 pm. No dance training or experience necessary, and all levels, ages 13 and up, are welcome. Free, but first come, first served until studio reaches capacity. Sign-Up begins at 12:50 pm at the Y Welcome Desk. Latecomers added at the discretion of artists and may not be admitted.

The work at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History begins at 2 pm. No dance training or experience necessary, and all levels, ages 13 and up, are welcome. Free, but first come, first served until studio reaches capacity. Latecomers added at the discretion of artists and may not be admitted.