Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here.
Praise Dancing
Although this art form has been developing in churches for many years, Praise Dancing is just starting to filter out into the secular community. Churches from a variety of denominations, but primarily African-American Baptist churches, have been starting dance ministriesall across the country. Mixing a variety of dance forms with mime and occasionally with American Sign Language (ASL), Praise Dancing is sometimes called Worship Dance or Praise Mime. The use of mime make-up is not standard, and is somewhat controversial because of its similarity to minstral makeup. However, the use of white gloves is a consistent element of the troupes that are more strongly mime-oriented. I even found one instance of the white gloves being used in a form of worship dance in Malaysia.
The variety of Praise Dance performed by my favorite group, Faith Ministry Center Church in Grand Rapidsis one of the more modern hip-hop influenced styles, with the interaction between the dancers reminiscent of krumping.
A somewhat more formal mime is utilized by the Radical Annointed Praise Mime.
Unspoken Praise Mime Ministrycombines dance with traditional song interpretation into American Sign Language. The Righteous Praise Dance Ministries focuses even more heavily on the ASL interpretation.
Concentrating on the dancing itself, Vessels of Worshiptake a formal dance approach. In contrast, Trinity Dance Ministryhas a modern style. It will be interesting to watch this dance form continue to evolve and diversify thanks to the magic of Youtube.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our connected community. We are free to tell the full truth, to hold power to account without fear or favor, and to follow facts wherever they lead. Our only loyalty is to our audiences and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen our community.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Right now, LAist has lost $1.7M in annual funding due to Congress clawing back money already approved. The support we receive before year-end will determine how fully our newsroom can continue informing, serving, and strengthening Southern California.
If this story helped you today, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Your tax-deductible donation keeps LAist independent and accessible to everyone.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
