COLORS OF MY FLAG, VOLUME III

EZRA MYLES BRISTOW // African-American  // 
//  Cherokee Nation  // Newark, New Jersey by way of Georgia, North Carolina, USA  // 
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Stay tuned to witness Ezra's journey in the upcoming S.C.A.R.S. dance and multimedia dance film: LET ME BE
*Subtitles for the video (click on "CC" icon on bottom right hand corner of video).
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Ezra Myles Bristow is a Multidisciplinary Artist, Arts Educator and Producer based in Oakland, CA. Much like his birthplace of Newark, NJ, Ezra creates and curates art experiences that bridge the gap between the shared cultural legacies of the African Diaspora. He weaves visual art, digital media, spoken word, and dance to engage and empower youth through the lens of Carnival as a multiethnic celebration of liberation, resilience, joy, and heritage. 

Ezra's creative journey began early. Upon graduating high school in 2010, he had won multiple competitions on a youth stepping team, co-founded The Pingry School’s first student-led hip-hop dance team, illustrated original comics, studied Art History at Johns Hopkins University and Cartooning at the School of Visual Arts. 

In 2011, spurred by an absence of Hip-Hop dance opportunities on campus, Ezra co-founded Elemental Movement Dance Crew, Trinity College’s first, co-ed, all-styles hip-hop dance group. As co-captain and choreographer with Ella Wechsler-Matthaei, Ezra successfully fought to expand access to dance for students of all social, economic, cultural, educational backgrounds and abilities. While studying Visual Arts and Communication Studies at the University of the West Indies in Trinidad and Tobago in 2013, Ezra honed his wide ranging talents into a multimedia artistic vision of community empowerment modeled after the Jouvay Popular Theatre Process, first conceived by his late mentor, Trinidadian playwright, director, and cultural icon, Tony Hall. 

Since 2015, Ezra has been one of the principal dancers and volunteer media manager for SambaFunk! Carnaval Explosion under the direction of Theo Aytchan Williams. While representing the band, he placed as first runner up in the 2017 Carnaval San Francisco King and Queen Competition in the King category. 

He has taught dance classes to youth across the Bay Area, and performed with such musical greats as Sheila E, Dwayne Wiggins, and Howard Wiley. Since 2018, Ezra has worked full-time with youth as a dance instructor, Production Coordinator, and Program Associate for the East Bay Center for the Performing Arts in Richmond, CA. He is the founder and creative director for MylesBeyond Entertainment, an event and media production company that provides comprehensive event, design, and entertainment services to arts professionals, arts organizations, and local businesses.  
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“When I move, I tap into the fullness of my experience as a Diasporic descendant. My style is an energetic amalgamation of my musical and cultural origins: Jazz, Hip-Hop, House, Jersey Club, Gospel, Dancehall, Samba, Salsa, Soca, Contemporary, and Afro-Pop. Through movement, I bear witness to my ancestors’ shared language and restore that which centuries of white supremacy and economics of exploitation has sought to destroy. For me, dance is unapologetic, joyful, sensual, powerful, vulnerable, positive, painful, masculine and feminine Blackness. This is why I create works that are authentic, naturalistic, joyful, responsive, creative, and steeped in history. It is my inheritance, my responsibility, and my privilege. ”~ Ezra Myles Bristow
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Music: “Downtime In My Soul" by Rage
S.C.A.R. Photo: Olivia Eng
Passion Photo:
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