Alternate Title Dance Africa 1978

Country of Origin United States, Nigeria, South Africa, Ghana

Description Over the course of five days the first DanceAfrica Festival highlighted several dance companies that would prove most vital throughout DanceAfrica’s history, including among them: the Chuck Davis Dance Company; Dinizulu and His Dancers, Drummers and Singers; Arthur Hall Afro-American Dance Ensemble; Charles Moore and Dances & Drums of Africa; and the International Afrikan-American Ballet. It was preceded by a one-day African Bazaar in the BAM parking lot, which has since been transformed into a three-day feast with over 300 vendors who sell African fashions and cuisine.

Identifier 1978s.00263

VenueOpera House

choreographerBaba Chuck Davis, Nana Yao Opare Dinizulu, John Blandford, Rhonda Morman

companyCharles Moore Dance Theatre, Chuck Davis Dance Company, Arthur Hall's Afro American Dance Ensemble, International Afrikan-American Ballet, Drums of Africa, Dinizulu and his African Dancers, Drummers and Singers

composerBaba Obara Wali Rahman Ndiaye, Olukose Wiles, Baba Neil C. Clarke, Walter Ince

costume designerRhonda Morman, John Blandford, Mildred Ince, Nafisa Dabre

dancerAjaibo Waldron, Joe Deas, Esi-Ayisi Dinizulu, Oyeni Woyoo Adzua, Baakan Dente, Nyo Dente, LaVerne Anduze, John Blandford, Hazel Starkes Bryant, Rosa Connors Kincaid, Tima Fann, Gregory Ince, Lauren Dunner Ince, Walter Ince, Rhonda Morman, Amaniyé Payne, Mama Amma Wiles McKen, Olukose Wiles

musical directorOlukose Wiles, Baba Obara Wali Rahman Ndiaye

musicianNana Yao Opare Dinizulu, Baba Neil C. Clarke, Gregory Ince, Ralph Dorsey, Akua Kyerewaa, Amartey Dente, Mensa Dente Botwe Sawyer, Olukose Wiles, Baba Obara Wali Rahman Ndiaye, Walter Ince, Obayana Olumide

production assistant/coordinatorLaVerne Anduze, Walter Ince, Baba Obara Wali Rahman Ndiaye

set designer/decorJohn Blandford, Devere Ince

singerBotwe Sawyer, Kwesi Agyeman