Alternate Title Dance Africa 2015: Brazilian rhythms. African roots.

Country of Origin United States, Brazil, Guinea

Description The nation's largest festival dedicated to African dance returns for its 38th year, bringing together performance, art, film, and an array of community events for an exhilarating celebration of culture from Africa and its diaspora.
This year's edition celebrates Brazil, tracing the transatlantic roots of the country's vibrant music and dance traditions. Headlined by Afro-Brazilian dance troupe Balé Folclórico da Bahia, 2015 marks the last year that Baba Chuck Davis will lead the festival as Artistic Director.
Catch Balé Folclórico da Bahia and select New York dance troupes in the annual Memorial Day weekend performances. And don't miss the one-and-only outdoor bazaar, FilmAfrica, and many other events. Ago! Amee!

Identifier 2015s.00570

VenueOpera House

artistic directorBaba Chuck Davis, Abdel R. Salaam

choreographerJosé Carlos Arandiba, Rosângela Silvestre, Walson Botelho

companyBalé Folclórico da Bahia (BFB), BAM RestorationArt Dance Youth Ensemble, Bambara Drum and Dance Ensemble

danceafrica elderBaba Lee Abramson, Mama Carol Awolowo, Mama Rahkiah Abdurahman, Baba Yomi Awolowo, Mama Jacqueline Coban Martin, Mama Dr. Lynette White-Mathews, Mama Linda Evans, Mama Peggy Alston, Mama Kumali Abramson, Baba Jonathan Robinson, Mama Dr. Doris Green, Mama Sandra Burton, Baba Mensah Wali, Mama Akua N. Ishangi, Papa Leslie Gray, Baba Chuck Davis, Mama Katunge Mimy, Mama Rahkiah Abdu Rahman-Eason, Mama DeBorah Davis-Gray, Baba Neil C. Clarke, Mama Amma Oloriwaa Bernard, Mama Amma Wiles McKen, Baba Nathaniel Boyd Hakika, Mama Esmerelda Simmons, Mama Madelyn Yayodele Nelson, Baba Obara Wali Rahman Ndiaye

dancerAloma Silva, Arismar Junior, Carolyn Sumter, Cleonildes Santos, Denise Rocha, DePre Owens, Edemilson Andrade, Edilene Dos Santos, Ednei Cruz, Edvan Santos, Elivan Santos, Francie Johnson, Ishmael Koyate, Jadson Santos, Joseilton Lapa, Joy Richardson (Bambara Drum and Dance Ensemble), Keemaiya Collins, Lauren Lola Jones, Luana Pessanha, Lucimar Sousa, Luis Santana, Maya Doyle, Menherit Goodwyn, Neidson Santos, Noelani Love, Noelson Souza, Omoyemi Jinad, Precious T. Bonaparte, Thiago Ribeiro, Priscila Vaz, Tiago Lima, Sherece Donalds, Toyia Ford, Vado Diamonde, Tamires Amorim, Valfredo De Souza, Tearra Moore, Wagner Santana, Kaylyn Alston, Deirdre Brock, Kaisa Brown, Teanna Chin, Colby Christina, Alexis Donavon, Kiah Dozier, Nikala Elson, Sequoia Harris, Hadiya Hyppolite, Naomi Johnson, Bria Knox, Kianna McKoy, Faith Mondesire, Mia Nelson, Aziza Pope, Tianna Smith, Serena St. Clair, Keturah Stephen, T’khiya Townsend, Amira Williams, Christina Woods, Camille Bailey, Kourtney Charles, Shanae Cloud, Danielle D’Avilar, Sara DeBerry, Bijan Dendtler-Clark, Myasia Dickerson, Ayanna Donovan, Kishana Flenory, Shani Graves, Thea Grier, Na'ilah Harris, Tabresha Harris, Shaniya Hyndman, Keisha James, Jessica Jardine, Sherina Jardine, Tamara Jolly, Noel Kelly, Qahirah Kibler, Breana LaFortune, Lavasia Lawton, Damaris Lewis, Melissa Moore, Christine Placide, Diamond Roach, Michele Stafford, Nyomie Torres, Valencia Springer, Nailah Walthour, Wynter Dias, Mikua Ferrer, Kaleah Gaskin, Alexandra Grant, Tianna Gray, Bahiyah Leito, Nuani Lewinson, Saabriah Mapp, Naia Owens, Atiya Pope, Jada Spencer, Christvy Taha, Tinuola Bello, Timothy Bishop, Malik Camara, Mama DeBorah Davis-Gray, Lindia Dugue, Mama Hanan Hameen, Arisa Ingram, Joy Karaimu, Nailah Lisa Morris, Chanel Grant

directorJoseph Barnes, Walson Botelho

lighting designerAl Crawford, Marcos De Souza

musicianAde Love, Anwar Ajamu Kedar, Alcides Morais, Andre Junior, Fabio Santos, Iyedun Ince, Jean Lemke-Charlotte, Joel Santos, Joseph Barnes, Jose Ricardo Dos Santos, Khary Kamau, Madhu Siddappa, Matthew Hill, Shaun Kelly, Talu Green, Tra-Bi Lizie, Foluso Mimy, Stephan Litzsey, David Williams

singerDoralucia Dos Santos, Gilmar Sampaio, Miralva Couto

stage handCarlos Fonseca, Jairo Santana, Jose Kracht

stage managerBaba N'Goma Woolbright, Sarah Ford

teaching artistShaneeka Nicholson, Mama Andara Koumba Rahman, Lydia Yearwood

top billingBaba Chuck Davis, Abdel R. Salaam

wardrobeAdriana Santos, Patricia Dos Santos, Rose Mitchell, Jacquelin Jardine, Elania Lanier, Simone Knox, Deborah Jordan, Nicole London, Jeannie Mitchell