"loom - Weaving the Social Fabric Through Dance" is a social theory conceptualized by Brent Crampton and Jay Kline in Omaha, Nebraska, to create socially conscious dance, music, art & educational events to create community and promote social progress.
Founded in March of 2006, loom has manifested as a series of dance events where people of many colors, orientations and ages have gathered in a peaceful assembly. For 5-years loom traveled as a series of one-off dance parties from places such España Tapas Bar, Joslyn Art Museum, Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts & Love's Jazz & Art Center.
As of July 2011, the social theory behind loom gave birth to a permanent venue called House of Loom, where loom the dance party now resides.
Various DJs and occasional guest musicians blend a colorful mix of world-inspired dance rhythms for what has been called "Omaha's longest running dance party" (City Weekly). Event theme's jump continents and timelines celebrating diversity across the board, including the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., Brazil's Carnaval festival, Nigeria's Fela Kuti, the buzz of Bollywood or dance arts forms.
On the community outreach level, loom has helped organize or support everything from race relation dialogues, fashion shows, film, disaster relief support and more. loom's also partnered with LA-based nonprofit, NextAid.org which finds sustainable and green ways to help children in Africa who are orphaned by AIDS.
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Download the music of loom
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- NEW loom Podcast
- loom Mix circa Feb of 2006
- loom Classics 2-Year Anniversary
- loom Bemis Creativity Fest Tribute
- loom 4-Year Anniversary
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Check out pictures of loom on Flickr
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loom in the media
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- Omaha World Herald video interview with Brent Crampton
- City Weekly article on loom's beginnings & 2-year anniversary event
- City Weekly article on loom Weaves Fashion
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loom Partnerships
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NextAid is a Los Angeles based humanitarian organization dedicated to creating sustainable solutions for African children orphaned by AIDS. By partnering with socially-responsible businesses and organizations in the production of music benefits and other awareness-raising activities, NextAid provides immediate and long-term aid to African children in need. NextAid is committed to represent the international dance community in its effective and practical response to the AIDS pandemic.
The Name Tag Project is a community building project facilitated by Neighbors for Neighbors involving wearing a name tag in public. The Name Tag Project's mission is to foster introductions and conversations between people who would ordinarily sit, stand, walk, or in loom's case, dance by silently to build community.
