Shoutout Atlanta : 10.12.2022
"We have an amazing board of directors and have started the process of applying for 501(c)(3) status. Once that tax exempt status is achieved, more opportunities for grants and fundraising will be possible. With actual financial support to give life to the performances we dream of, I can see how Cherish could truly reach such a larger audience. Our end goal is to inspire and uplift our community. And while we do that currently, on a very low budget, through our open classes and small shows, I know that with an expanded budget, we will unfold our stories to their full potential."
Into the Proscenium : 10.6.2022
"In its performance of “The Gift,” choreographed by René Nesbit, Cherish Dance played with sheer scarves that matched their colorful gem-toned dresses. Their lightweight pieces of fabric became much more than props, as the four dancers took turns portraying whimsical moments, such as a knock at the door to connect friends, youngsters dressing up in formal clothing, and a patty-cake rhythm. Audience members smiled and giggled, a reminder that joy erupts in the everyday interactions and a time when peace may be at its greatest: childhood.
That expressed desire (for peace) was most communal during the closing piece, when René Nesbit and Cherish Dance asked the audience to join them in singing the song “Imagine” by John Lennon. Accompanied by Frank Nesbit on guitar, voices began in a light whisper across the room and bellowed by the time they howled, “Yoo-hoo-ooh-ooh-ooh.” What began as an apprehensive effort by the audience had turned into a room filled with bodies swaying together, heads bobbing, and people fearlessly looking one another in the eyes, smiling. That was a dance for peace."
Promenade : 3.8.2022
"For some, such as René Nesbit, this round of A.M. Collaborative is in fact a return. Nesbit – an Atlanta-based poet, thinker and choreographer since 2016 – participated in the previous 2020-2021 session... She was thrilled to re-apply...
What arose is a stunning tableau centering around compassion, community, resistance and other human responses to hardship. In January, this vivid investigation took the form of a lively trio in which each character’s dynamic was identifiable as unique. The dancers donned colorful dresses with asymmetrical hems – the flow of fabric further articulating every arabesque. They performed their respective sensibilities with grace and lyricism imbued with utmost technique. Meanwhile, the swelling of violins was supplemented by speech, resulting in a score that is nothing short of cinematic."
Into the Proscenium : 10.5.2021
"The diverse line-up featured 13 creatively crafted submissions ranging between music, poetry, dance, and film. The event offered both in-person tickets, which sold out ahead of time, and a virtual screening option. René Nesbit, founder of Can I Color Now Studios and director of Cherish Dance, hosted the event with elegance and inspiration, inviting audience members to find their own ways to celebrate this holiday.
In addition to their piece of repertoire, “River,” Cherish Dance also premiered a new work at the event. “Joyful” was a festive, energetic work filled with powerful, lyrically driven crescendos. Grimacing, a tight gripping of the chest, and weighted floorwork gave the impression of an internal struggle to rediscover joy in one’s life. Towards the end of the work, the contemporary choreography was briefly infused with a few tap elements, as Nesbit scuffed one foot through and crossed the other foot behind to tap the top of her toes with playful, loose ankles."