La Mezcla is a polyrhythmic, San Francisco-based dance and music ensemble rooted in Chicana, Latina and Indigenous traditions and social justice. Founded in 2015 by Dance/USA fellow Vanessa Sanchez, their work brings together Tap dance, Son Jarocho and Afro-Caribbean rhythms to bring the often unseen histories and experiences of communities of color to stages, streets and fields.Committed to using dance and music for social change, La Mezcla offers paid internships, artist mentorships, and has partnered with organizations including Lincoln Center Education, KQED Arts, and Ayudando Latinos a Soñar Farmworker Fridays to provide educational opportunities and hands-on community engagement.
The development of their newest work “Ghostly Labor,” inspired by the experiences of farm workers throughout California, has included free accessible dance classes, paid interviews, and community-based donation drives for warm clothing and necessities. “Ghostly Labor: A Dance Film” premiered in Spring 2022, with the full length theater premiere in November 2023.
- Articles about La Mezcla by The Mellon Foundation and Dance Magazine!
- La Mezcla’s Reel
- About Ghostly Labor
- About Pachuquísmo
