Alternate Title Dance Africa 1996, DanceAfrica America 1996

Production Language English

Country of Origin United States, Ethiopia

Description For the 1996 DanceAfrica festival, the theme was titled “Rites of Passage: Celebrating Women of the African Diaspora.” After the customary libation ceremony, the greeting from the Griot, and the memorial to recently passed Elders, the women of DanceAfrica—accompanied by their mothers and sisters—were honored with a dance from the Sacred Grove. The festival featured, among other companies, the Nile Ethiopian Ensemble and Women of the Calabash.  
 

Identifier 1996s.00583

VenueOpera House

choreographerAnthony Wooden, Rennie Harris, Tesfaye Lemma, Mama Madelyn Yayodele Nelson

companyRennie Harris Puremovement, Women of the Calabash, Bokandeye African American Dance Theatre, Nile Ethiopian Ensemble

dance captain/répétiteurTarkeema Lewis, Yvette Barrows

danceafrica elderBaba Scuddie Mcgee, Mama Sara McGee, Baba Bilal Abdurahman, Baba Lee Abramson, Mama Carol Awolowo, Mama Rahkiah Abdurahman, Baba Yomi Awolowo, Mama Jacqueline Coban Martin, Mama Barbara Bey, Baba Chief Bey, Mama Dr. Lynette White-Mathews, Mama Linda Evans, Baba Walter P. Brown, Baba William Mathews, Mama Kumali Abramson, Baba Joseph Placide, Baba Joe Nash, Baba Jonathan Robinson, Baba Imam Obaba, Mama Elsie Washington, Mama Mary Robinson, Baba Mzee Moyo, Baba Al Carter, Baba Mensah Wali, Mama Alice Dinizulu, Mama Akua Rajah, Baba Kwame Ishangi, Baba Luther Suliamann Wilson , Mama Andara Koumba Rahman, Baba Obara Wali Rahman Ndiaye

dancerRennie Harris, Clyde Evans, Jr., Brandon "Peace" Albright, Leslie Rivera, Duane Lee Holland, Ron Wood, Sabrina Whitfield, Tarkeema Lewis, Aisha Hawkins, Janice Tillery, Malynthia Speights-Nash, Tamari Adderton, Sheila Anane, Tyisha Baker, Tori Corpas, Aaliyah Campbell, Mariyam Martinez, Sarah Martinez, Chermaine Maxwell, Danielle Armstrong, Christina Adams, Chanel Barrow, Shenel Weekes, Gaylen Ronde, Astere Yemmer, Juliana Ruiz, Abdul Hawkins, Almaze Getahun, Ashenafi Mitiku

director assistant/associateJewel Love, Carolyn Wooden

musicianDebra Kenya McGee, Fostina Dixon, Mama Amma Oloriwaa Bernard, Marsha Perry Starkes, Anthony Harris, Ashanti Lewis, Setagne Atena, Asaye Zegeye, Abebe Belwe, Clarence Baumgardner, Courtney Hollinsworth, Vincent Hendricks, Anthony Wooden, Jr., Christopher Moore, Abdul Hawkins, Anthony Moore

production assistant/coordinatorJewel Love, Amaniyé Payne

teaching artistKaren Miles, Rennie Harris, Jewel Love, Amaniyé Payne