Dante Foley

Dante Foley developed Square Cymbals as a multimedia video project exists as a cultural exploration of music with its connection to politics and sociology. Experiencing and participating in the music scene in Cleveland Ohio, highlighted the importance of creative and collaborative spaces as well as the need for third spaces that are accessible in the city. Leaning into long form video work in 2023, the output of Square Cymbals seeks to fill the conversation gap around music culture, how these spaces are forged, and how racism, ableism and misogyny influence entertainment culture as well as how we can fight back against these issues that limit our personal freedoms. Since then, Square Cymbals as a video project works to combat bigoted radicalization pipelines by exploring music culture topics with compassion, honesty and most importantly, cited sources. Taking a video essay or documentarian approach engages the audience in a way that is welcoming, and informative without placing judgement or isolating the viewer. This work while rewarding, requires a lot of research for production, but luckily this work is also bolstered by the very unique lens they have as a nonbinary Clevelander who's been fortunate enough to travel the world playing music.

Up Front with Black Punks is an examination of the history of black people in alternative/DIY music spaces and how racialized politics play a role in how these spaces are cultivated, sustained, and bolstered. This project is supported by SPACES' The Satellite Fund, 2025.