The SSU Community Jazz Dance Festival, held April 30 – May 4, 2025, celebrates the roots and evolution of jazz dance through film, workshops, and live performances. The event kicks off with a free screening of Uprooted: The Journey of Jazz Dance, exploring the African American lineage of jazz and sparking discussions on appropriation and cultural legacy.

Workshops feature renowned artists Laura Ann Smyth, who brings contemporary jazz to life, and Sekou McMiller, known for his Afro-Latin fusion style. McMiller has worked with top artists like Madonna and Pitbull. The festival culminates in four days of live performances at the Evert B. Person Theatre, showcasing SSU students, the SSU Sapphires, SRJC dancers, and the California Dance Education Association. This festival honors jazz’s African Diasporic roots and celebrates its ongoing contributions.