Block By Block

Interactive Performances Kick Off Diverse “Summer for All of Us” Initiative by Mayor Todd Gloria and the San Diego Parks Foundation

“Block by Block” is a world premiere site-specific dance theatre musical by Director and Choreographer, Anjanette Maraya-Ramey and her company, Maraya Performing Arts. Commissioned by the San Diego Parks Foundation as part of San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria’s “Summer for All of Us” initiative, this original piece encourages youth and families to “Come Play Outside.”

This dynamic and entertaining piece will be performed at various city park locations in historically marginalized neighborhoods throughout San Diego county. Professional local artists perform live music, spoken word poetry, and a fusion of dance styles including ballet, contemporary, hip hop, and breaking.

The show utilizes the concept of a traveling circus as a metaphor to depict diverse individual personal identities and the intersection of how a shared experience like a global pandemic can unite seemingly disparate individuals together to create something magical.

A collection of interviews from elected officials and community members will be infused into the script and sound score - highlighting both the obstacles and resilience of San Diego’s most diverse neighborhoods. The show weaves together the words and meaning from the interviews with original music, song, and vocals alongside Contemporary Dance & Break Dance spectacle performed at parks across San Diego.

Sponsored by the San Diego Parks Foundation, City of San Diego, and County of San Diego.