San Diego International Airport is literally stepping it up with some fancy footwork. Later this week, Malashock Dance Company, a staple of San Diego’s eclectic arts scene, will treat travelers through Terminal 2 West to performances wrought from the narratives of those who have wandered its halls. On the docket for January 27, 29, and February 3 at 2 p.m., these dance pieces are the brainchild of a three-month residency program, You Are Here / Usted Está Aquí, that kicked off in September 2024.

Hitting close to home with nearly 300 discussions with travelers since December, the dancers of Malashock have distilled 30 oral histories into expressive choreography that weaves together diverse ages from 5 to folks north of 60. In an interview with the San Diego International Airport, Jon Graves, the Authority’s Director of Customer Experience, shared that having Malashock Dance as part of the Performing Arts Residency Program "perfectly aligns with our mission to enrich the airport experience with thought-provoking and engaging art."

It's not just about the pliés and pirouettes; this initiative aims to showcase the cultural mosaic that San Diego proudly displays. As Christopher K. Morgan, Artistic Director of Malashock Dance, elucidated, "We are excited to explore the intersection of travel, culture, and human connection through dance." Morgan told the San Diego International Airport that the stories they collected painted San Diego as "warm, open, and friendly," thanks to its sunny weather that keeps smiles on faces and hearts open.

For those who can't catch the terminal tango, Malashock Dance will perform the entirety of You Are Here / Usted Está Aquí at the Dorothea Laub Dance Place in ARTS DISTRICT Liberty Station on February 7 at 6:30 p.m.