BY NAJAH MONIQUE-TODD for WEEKLY VOLCANO 2/27/27 |
On Tuesday evenings inside the Courthouse Square building, more than twenty adults gather for a free jazz class led by DéShawn Morton, artistic director of Mo’ Motion Dance. What began as a grant-funded program has grown into something much bigger: a weekly space for connection, courage, and community.
The class exists through funding from Tacoma Creates, awarded to Queer Northwest and Queer Arts Project. “Queer Northwest and Queer Arts Project received funding from Tacoma Creates to host various free arts classes throughout the city,” DéShawn explained. “Queer Northwest Director Anthony Polimeni approached me about partnering with Mo’ Motion and Tacoma Movement Center to offer a free weekly dance class for adults in Tacoma.”
“The class has turned into something truly special, a community of people that have made it their Tuesday night routine to come dance, fellowship, and have a good time through movement with one another.”
With more than twenty dancers often filling the room, DéShawn describes the atmosphere as “high energy and an amazing bubble of support.” Many attendees have never danced before. Word spreads organically. Friends bring friends.
DéShawn describes his teaching style as “energetic, supportive, and personal.” “With this adult class, my main objective is for people to have fun. I like to joke that no one in the room is planning to audition to dance for Beyoncé in the morning, so the main objective should be enjoying what we are doing in the moment.”
“Dancing can be spiritual. Dancing connects us to something inside ourselves that can’t be communicated through words.”
Through this work, DéShawn has observed that many people are intimidated by dance. “So many people in the city like to dance and just need a little push and the right environment to do so,” he said. “None of that matters in this class. Just how you feel after it’s over.”
As a participant, I arrive carrying the weight of long workdays, business deadlines, and parenting. I hadn’t danced consistently in years and at first felt stiff and disconnected. One night, when DéShawn highlighted bravery over perfection, something shifted. I realized worth wasn’t measured by flawless execution but by effort and joy. I stopped critiquing myself, let the movement guide me, and flowed more freely.
Beyond the adult class, DéShawn leads youth jazz and ballet programs through Mo’ Motion. “I want my students to be able to walk into any professional school or company and fall right in line, in dress, attitude, and work ethic,” he said. The partnership with Queer Arts Project is scheduled through June 2026. “We pride ourselves on helping dancers from first steps to full potential,” he said. “We want to offer the same to our adults in Tacoma.”
On Tuesday nights at Courthouse Square, DéShawn Morton isn’t just teaching choreography. He’s building a room where people feel brave enough to move and reminding Tacoma that dance belongs to everyone.
Mo’ Motion Dance
1102 A St., Tacoma, WA 98402
Artistic Director: DéShawn Morton
253-344-7044
www.momotiondance.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/momotiondance
Instagram: www.instagram.com/mo_motiondance
Najah Monique Todd is a Tacoma-based writer, entrepreneur, and arts advocate. As both a participant in the adult jazz class and a parent of a Mo’ Motion youth dancer, she writes from lived experience at the intersection of art, community, and healing. She is the owner of Mirror Ready Glam, co-founder of Noir Bloom, and a supporter of community-centered arts programming throughout the South Sound.
