What a Day!

Nov 12, 2025
2 min read

The absolute highlight of Full Circle Dance Company’s art-filled 25^th Anniversary year was Rooted and Rising, held on November 9 at the Baltimore Museum of Art.

The show brought back several beloved alumnae dancers and featured a multi-age group of community guest artists who helped embody the stories of diverse female ancestors. Large, enthusiastic audiences for both the matinee and the evening show included old friends as well as many people discovering Full Circle for the first time.

The audience response was strong:

“This was the best dance offering that I have seen for many years. Physical fluidity, strength, messaging, all of it was STUNNING!”

“The choreography was soaring and the dancers inspiring.”

“Cried like a baby! It challenged my mind and heart. Powerful music. Beautiful visuals - color, design, movement of material/fabrics as dancers moved.”

“As a parent (and human), it was a joy to see dancers of all ages and bodies performing....The choreography was incredibly thoughtful and not just gorgeous to watch, it really made you think.”

The lead-up to the show included an interview with WYPR Baltimore Public Radio’s Tom Hall, a social gathering for Full Circle dancers past and present, and opportunities for our visiting artists to explore the amazing Baltimore Museum of Art. The official publication of the book We Stand, which celebrates the artistic collaboration between Baltimore photographer Brion McCarthy and Full Circle Dance Company, coincided with Rooted and Rising.

For the performers, exhilaration overcame the exhaustion of the day. Veteran dancer Nicole Tucker-Smith said, “As a seasoned dancer, the 25^th Anniversary performances felt like a celebration of individual and collective longevity–elevating everyone’s unique strengths and coming together to create a living quilt of movement and memories.”

Company member Amanda Rosenbaum, who has danced with Full Circle for 17 years, said, “This show was a reflection of passionate artistry that has once again left me fulfilled as a dancer. Once a show weekend is over, I feel such gratitude for what the Full Circle family provides to us, to the audience, and to the community. Words cannot describe the power of Full Circle Dance Company.”