Michael Galen

'Loss' explores the ecstacy and grief of deep emotional bonds between people. The push and pull of merging world views with another. The piece honors recently made ancestors and seeks to continue their expression in this world. Love and light to the 'White Quetzal' Samuel Willoughby, 'Nona' Beverly Galen, 'Papa' Bill Galen, and 'Abuela' Dottie Lopez.

Recording my tama teacher - Massamba Diop - and his family of amazing players in Saint Louis, Senegal. This was research for the Griot Project with Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater.

Reflections on my cultural research trip in Senegal, 2024. I was studying the Griot role and responsibilities, tama (talking drum), and sabar dance and rhythms. The studies built on what I started five years prior in Dakar.

Highlights from the SHAMEN Dance Fashion Show in April 2024! Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater took over the Portland Art Museum's gorgeous sunken ballroom for an unforgettable night of fashion, dance, food and drinks, and live drumming!

Rites of Passage premiered in February 2024 at Reed College's beautiful Greenwood Theater.

Reflections on a dance ethnographic research trip in Salvador, Brazil.

Reflections on a dance studies trip in Havana, Cuba.

Trailer for the short film ‘Loss’. I choreographed this in collaboration with Amaya Alvarado. I also composed and produced the music. It is exploring the joy and grief of love those close to us, of losing those close to use. The voices in the recording our the grandmothers of Amaya and myself, within a year of their passings.

Cariñito - performed by Grupo Masato at Hallowed Halls in Portland, OR. Myself on keys.

Playing keys for the big Peruvian band Grupo Masato. Love this group so much!

‘Who We Carry’ trailer. A dance film by Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater. I composed and produced all the music as well as contributed choreography and danced in this film. Premiered in October 2021. Directed, shot, and edited by Elijah Hasan.

Dancers (L to R): Michael Galen, Bethany Harvey, Oluyinka Akinjiola, Jamie Minkus, Decimus Yarbrough

Love body percussion! You don’t need anything but yourself. It’s a great tool to build community, empower youth, and challenge our rhythm and coordination. I l love to teach, choreograph, and perform with body percussion. For me, it’s the perfect marriage of dance and drumming.

www.phamepdx.org

‘BEEN READY’ - Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater’s newest show, premiered in February, 2020 at Portland Institute for Contemporary Art. My newest work ‘Shaped’ opens the show. From our artistic director Oluyinka Akinjiola: BEEN READY comes from a saying in the Black community meaning, “stay ready so you don’t have to get ready.” Ready as in ready for the discrimination, ready for the prejudice, ready for the racism. Well… we are ready, we’ve been ready and now its time to galvanize. Been Ready brings together our five personal experiences navigating conflicts that are inherently imbued with layers of race, gender and bias.  With an inward focus we find what makes us ready.

‘Step it Up, Break it Down’ - Choreographed by Michael Galen, 2019. Kaleidoscope is a no audition dance company in North Seattle dedicated to enriching kids lives through dance and performance. Michael Galen - Portland, OR based choreographer - set this piece on them in one intensive weekend.

www.POPgoji.com