Half the Sky is a curated evening of contemporary dance works that explore themes of individual and collective identity and responsibility. The program features a cast of 18 local dancers representing the depth of Cleveland’s artistic landscape and includes new and recent works by Melissa Ajayi including AGAIN and AGAIN and (2025), and selected excerpts of Gentle Men Let Us Rest (in progress). Ajayi Dance is also excited to invite guest artist Annika Sheaff back to Cleveland to set her work Time is a Mountain (2025) on the Ajayi Dance artists and to perform Wish you were here (2021) by Monica Bill Barnes. Ajayi Dance is offering four opportunities for men (ages 18+) to connect with other men in the community and take part in a discussion about masculinity in our society and culture, facilitated by Dr. Will Ajayi, PhD and hosted by our generous community supporter, Master Marr’s Taekwon-do. ​ Each session will center on a different topic or question related to masculinity. Participants may participate in any or all sessions. Refreshments will be provided! The ultimate goal of these discussions is to inform the creative process of a future public performance by Ajayi Dance; participants will not be asked to perform. Participants will be credited for their insights, perspectives, and contributions and will have the option to remain anonymous.