Alternate Title Dance Africa 2014

Production Language English

Country of Origin United States, Madagascar, Guinea, Mali, Senegal

Description DanceAfrica—the nation’s largest festival dedicated to African dance—returns for its 37th 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, the spotlight shines on Madagascar-based music and dance troupe Bakomanga, making its US debut. Led by Malagasy music star Mariette Rasoarinala, Bakomanga embraces a rich variety of indigenous cultural forms, using jubilant drum- and accordion-driven music and movement to honor its ancestors, usher in the harvest, and preserve tradition. Catch them and select New York State artists in the annual Memorial Day weekend performances, hosted by Baba Chuck Davis. And don’t miss the DanceAfrica Opening Celebration, the one-and-only outdoor bazaar, and many other events. Ago! Amee!
 

Identifier 2014s.00001

VenueOpera House

companyGroupe Bakomanga, Asase Yaa African-American Dance Theatre, AACC Dance & Drum Performance Company, BAM/The Restoration Dance Youth Ensemble at the Youth Arts Academy, Tsingory Dance Troupe

costume designerBruno Rodolphe Razanakoto, Iusaset Bakr, Hopie Lyn Burrows

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, Baba William Mathews, Mama Peggy Alston, Mama Kumali Abramson, Baba Jonathan Robinson, Mama Dr. Doris Green, Mama Sandra Burton, Baba Mensah Wali, Mama Akua N. Ishangi, Baba Leslie Gray, Baba Chuck Davis, Mama Katunge Mimy, Mama Rahkiah Abdu Rahman-Eason, Mama Adwoa Brown, Mama DeBorah Davis-Gray, Baba Neil C. Clarke, Mama Amma Oloriwaa Bernard, Mama Amma Wiles McKen, Baba Nathaniel Boyd Hakika, Mama Gail Wila, Mama Esmerelda Simmons, Mama Madelyn Yayodele Nelson, Baba Obara Wali Rahman Ndiaye

dancerMariette Rasoarinala, Tina Benoit Soloniaina Rakotondrasoa, Jonah Pierre Ramarotseheno, Cleo Ortense Rasoarimalala, Zolinirina Alphonsine Rasoarimalala ep. Rakotomalala, Sahara Noeline Rojosoa Rasoarimalala, Veronihanta Lydia Rason, Jose Albert Rason Heriniaina, Jean Feliva Razafimandimby, Tojoniaina Fanintae Razafindrabe, Finaritra Ravaoarisoa, Tiavina Rakotomalala, Jacqueline Victoria Damo Velondrazana, Lynette Simmons, Shyana Broughton, Janee Brown, Megan Lestak, Onija Martin, Netanya Thompson, Fabiola Ababio, Iusaset Bakr, Natasha Diaz, N'dack Fleming, Zakiya M. Harris, Zakiya Huntley, Maimouna Kane, Rubie Inez Williams, Deirdre Brock, Kaisa Brown, Kourtney Charles, Sequoia Harris, Kiah Dozier, Kishana Flenory, Na'ilah Harris, Shawn Hawkins, Brianna Henry, Hadiya Hyppolite, Mia Jones, Maleek Joseph, Bria Knox, Kianna McKoy, Faith Mondesire, Asyha Mosely, Colby Myers, Jasmine Poole, Aziza Pope, Serena St. Clair, Tianna Smith, Keturah Stephen, Shoniah Torres, Tianna Thomas, Amira Williams, Germaul Barnes, Tinuola Bello, Mama DeBorah Davis-Gray, Nuse Deka Franklin, Lindia Dugue, Baba Leslie Gray, Mama Dr. Hanan Hameen-Diop, Arisa Ingram, Francie Johnson, Mayetha Johnson, Joy Karaimu, Mama Katunga, Nailah Lisa Morris, Paul Lucas, Naima Penniman, Aisha Starr, Adaku Utah, Nakia D. Vieira, Marcus Williams, Ava Tyie Wilson, James Yarborough

executive directorKofi Osei Williams, Rubie Inez Williams

musicianMadagascar Slim, Tina Benoit Soloniaina Rakotondrasoa, Jean Zisitera Felive, Emmanuel Rakotozanany, Vonjisoa Gabriel Rakotozanany, Youssou Lo, Marquell Almond, Denzell Cottrell, Anthony Gaines, Brandon Gaines, Marvin Harris, Yao Ababio, Sekou Alaje, Kwesi Bonsu, Ayanda Clarke, Kwesi Nkroma, Kwaku Payton, Senfu Ab Stoney, Kofi Osei Williams, Tra-Bi Lizie, Foluso Mimy, Stephan Litzsey, David Williams

production assistant/coordinatorJeannie Mitchell, Simone Knox

singerHanitrarivo Rasoanaivo, Mariette Rasoarinala

stage managerBaba N'Goma Woolbright, Lori Lundquist

teaching artistShaneeka Nicholson, Lydia Yearwood, Mamadou Dahoué, Dellwyn Gilkes, Chris White

top billingBaba Chuck Davis, Groupe Bakomanga, Madagascar Slim, Hanitrarivo Rasoanaivo, Asase Yaa African-American Dance Theatre, AACC Dance & Drum Performance Company, BAM/The Restoration Dance Youth Ensemble at the Youth Arts Academy

wardrobeRose Mitchell, Elania Lanier