Dark Circles Contemporary Dance

About Dark Circles Contemporary Dance

Dark Circles Contemporary Dance (DCCDUSA), located in Las Cruces, New Mexico, is a vibrant hub for modern movement and choreographic exploration. Rooted in the community, DCCDUSA acknowledges its location on the ancestral lands of the Mescalero Apache and Piro/Manso/Tiwa peoples. The studio is dedicated to fostering a vibrant dance community through engaging programs focused on contemporary dance. Artistic Director Joshua L. Peugh draws inspiration from his hometown and its surrounding natural beauty, evident in works that blend genres and otherworldly settings. DCCDUSA champions causes of liberation, freedom, and justice for Black Lives, as well as for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, advocating for an end to racism and bigotry, emphasizing artists as public figures responsible for setting examples. The studio fosters dialogue within the contemporary dance community through initiatives like "Late-Night chitchats" hosted by Peugh in September 2020, featuring conversations with distinguished choreographers such as Stephanie Martinez, Joshua Manculich, Gabrielle Lamb, Mike Esperanza, Omar Roman De Jesus, Sidra Bell, Josh Prince, Jay Carlon, Fabio Liberti, Ihsan Rustem, Gregory Dolbashian, Caili Quan, and Manuel Vignoulle. These events highlight DCCDUSA's commitment to pushing artistic boundaries and cultivating talent. They also offer free community masterclasses open to all abilities aged 12 and up, in partnership with NMSU Dance, providing a welcoming environment for dancers to explore, connect, and enhance their skills. Data from these events informs future programming and funding.

Styles offered at Dark Circles Contemporary Dance