CLICK HERE for the loom blog with upcoming events and news updates
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Mission Statement & Summary
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SOCIAL PROGRESS - CONNECTION THROUGH MUSIC & ART - DANCEFLOOR AS SANCTUARY
"loom - Weaving the Social Fabric Through Dance" is a social ideology conceptualized by Brent Crampton and Jay Kline in Omaha, Nebraska, with the idea of creating various dance celebrations and artistic platforms to promote social progress.Since March of 2006, loom has manifested as a series of dance events where Blacks, Whites, Latinos, Asians, young, old, gay, straight and many others have gathered in a peaceful assembly. From its monthly-first-Thursdays home-base of España Tapas Bar in Benson, to various one-offs at institutions such as the Bemis Center for Contemporary Arts, Love's Jazz & Art Center and Joslyn's Sculpture Garden, loom has served as a positive social medium for bringing people together in a city notorious for its problem of racism.
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" by the City Weekly. Event theme's jump continents and timelines celebrating diversity across the board, including the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., Brazil's Carnival festival, Nigeria's Fela Kuti, the buzz of Bollywood or dance arts from Salsa, Rueda, Bellydancing and Breakdancing.
On the community outreach level, loom has helped organize or support everything from race relation dialogues, fashion shows, film premiers 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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loom mixed by Brent Crampton, February 2006
loom Classics 2-Year Anniversary Mix, by Brent Crampton, March 2008
loom @ The Bemis Creativity Fest Tribute Mix, by Brent Crampton, October 2008
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Check out pictures of loom
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loom Weaves Fashion, November 22, 2008
loom Weaves Heartland of America Park, September 21, 2008
loom Weaves Afroblu, June 4, 2009
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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.
