Wednesday, February 24, 2010

[Wadabo_updates] AFRICA FOR HAITI (Event @ Brown University)

Brown University Department of Theatre Arts & Performance Studies presents:

AFRICA FOR HAITI
Award-winning Troupe Komee Josee from Mali, West Africa performs for Haiti Relief

Seydou Coulibaly, Djoun-Djoun & Dance
Issa Coulibaly, Djembe
Moussa Traore, Djembe
Sidy Maiga, Djembe
and Balla Tounkara, Kora & Song

with a guest appearance by Brown's New Works / World Traditions dance company

Saturday, March 6th @ 8:30pm
Brown University Sayles Hall (on the Main Green)
Providence, Rhode Island

Tickets are $15 ($10 Brown ID) at the Door
All Proceeds go to Haiti Relief grassroots organizations pinpointed by the Brown/RISD Haitian Students Association

co-sponsored by the Brown University Haiti Fund, Brown Office of International Affairs, Brown International Organization (BRIO) and the Brown Creative Arts Council.

COME OUT, DANCE, CELEBRATE, SUPPORT!

*This event is part of Brown's African Performance Weekend 2010, celebrating the power of performance to enact social change.  Film screenings, panel discussions, performances, and workshops (including dance with Seydou Coulibaly, djembe & djoun-djoun classes with Issa Coulibaly, Moussa Traore, and Sidy Maiga, Haitian dance with Jean Appolon, Hip Hop with MTV Award nominated NY Choreographer Buddha Stretch, and much more).  For a full list of events and information, check here:  http://www.brown.edu/Departments/Theatre_Speech_Dance/about/africanist.html

Wednesday, February 17, 2010

[Wadabo_updates] Ewe (Ghana) Dance Workshop Series

Take advantage of the opportunity to study with Ghanaian Master Dancer Nani Kwashi Agbeli while he is in town!  

Mr. Agbeli will be leading a special workshop series in traditional Ewe dance at the Dance Complex this month.  Whether you are new to West African dance, or looking to learn more about a tradition we don't have the opportunity to experience regularly in Boston, Mr. Agbeli's teaching will inspire and challenge all ability levels.  Set to live drumming, this is a cultural event not to be missed!

At the Dance Complex:  Mondays 6-7:30pm, Feb.15 - Mar 15 (5 sessions) $15/class or $65 for all 5 classes.

For more info, contact Nani Agbeli at (608) 957-6363 or: nani@woezo.com


Thursday, February 11, 2010

[Wadabo_updates] Ghanaian Dance Class Series

Take advantage of the opportunity to study with Ghanaian Master Dancer Nani Kwashi Agbeli while he is in town!  

Mr. Agbeli will be leading a special workshop series in traditional Ewe dance at the Dance Complex this month.  Whether you are new to West African dance, or looking to learn more about a tradition we don't have the opportunity to experience regularly in Boston, Mr. Agbeli's teaching will inspire and challenge all ability levels.  

Set to live drumming, this is a cultural event not to be missed!

At the Dance Complex:  Mondays 6-7:30pm, Feb.15- Mar 15 (5 sessions) $15/class or $65 for all 5 classes.

For more info, contact Nani Agbeli @ 608.957.6363 or nani@woezo.com

Wednesday, February 10, 2010

[Wadabo_updates] dance complex closed today

Due to snow, the Dance Complex will close today (wednesday, feb 10th) at 4 pm.
This means - no Seydou class today.
thank you.
_______________________________________________
WaDaBo_Updates mailing list, WaDaBo_Updates@wadabo.com
Subscribe, Unsubscribe or View Archive:
http://lists.wadabo.com/mailman/listinfo/wadabo_updates
_____________________________________________
This email is brought to you by www.WADaBo.com (West African Dance in Boston)

A full listing of regularly held West African Dance and Drum classes taught by master artists in and around Boston can be found at our website:
www.wadabo.com
WADaBo is an entirely volunteer effort, if you would like to help out in anyway, please contact wadabo@gmail.com
WADaBo is a collective of individuals interested in promoting and enjoying Dance, Drum, Music, Language and Culture from West African and the Diaspora
If you would like to be removed from this list, or only contacted for certain events (performances, workshops, etc), please go to
http://lists.wadabo.com/mailman/listinfo/wadabo_updates
and subscribe to this list. Pass it on!

Thursday, February 04, 2010

[Wadabo_updates] Gloucester is HERE FOR HAITI Feb 6th - Benefit Show for Partners in Health

GLOUCESTER IS HERE FOR HAITI

On Saturday, February 6th, at 7pm, 

the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church presents 

HERE FOR HAITI: Raising Song, Spirit & Help for Haiti.

 

Tickets are $10, all ages.  All proceeds to Partners in Health (working in Haiti for over 20 years)  


HERE FOR HAITI will include performances by: What Time Is It, Mr. Fox?, Sarah Rabdau, Kristen Miller, HUM, Dan King, an African drum ensemble, dancers, and other special guests (more info below).  

 

Hosted by Chloe Erdmann and U.U. Minister, Steve Wilson.

Location: Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, 10 Church St., Gloucester, MA

Contact: Brian King, 978-853-6165 hewasacloud@hotmail.com

Mark LaPointe, Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church, PR melapointe@comcast.net


In July of 2006, Chloe Erdmann visited Port-Au-Prince and Jacmel, Haiti, with a group of dancers led by choreographer, Jean Appolon and musician, Juju, (both from Haiti.) The U.S. visitors were welcomed into the community and participated in rituals, including Jean's initiation ceremony as a Vodou Priest, and a pilgrimage to Saut d'Eau waterfall in Ville Bonheur.   Chloe fondly remembers the experience, "The emphasis on community sharing, helping and healing was palpable and contagious.  And the dancing! I really don't know how, but all ages danced during these rituals for days--and I mean that quite literally.  It was nothing short of amazing. My friends and I would collapse at the end of the day and be dazzled by the idea that people were still dancing and would be up earlier than we would the following morning and at it again.  If dancing is any measure of joy in the soul, they have it to overflowing."

 

Despite abominable conditions in health care, education, and access to clean water, Chloe was astounded by the unshakeable spirit, pride and generosity in which she was surrounded.

 

"There was an instance when I truly witnessed how desperate the situation was concerning health care.  A rainstorm had flooded the concrete channels on either side of the road and a motorcyclist had skidded off the side and broken his leg.  A woman passing by had managed to get him in the back of her station wagon and was looking for any kind of medical attention in the area.  Two Haitian pilgrim/hitchhikers we had picked up in our truck gave their towels to help stop the bleeding on the way to the closest medical facility (an hour away.) Giving up towels may seem like nothing to us, but I later found out that those were their towels for the year. This is only one story, but it is one that haunts me when I imagine the scale of damage done to such a beautiful country by this earthquake. If a towel can help, every bit helps, and we need to help our neighbors much as we can!"

 

Chloe met Brian King first as fan of his band, What Time Is It, Mr. Fox?  Through her friendship with Brian, she fell in love with Gloucester, spending the Summer of 2008 on Cape Ann, before moving to Scotland to earn her PhD in Comparative Religion and Theology.  She happened to be back in Massachusetts when the earthquake hit, and immediately she and Brian approached the Gloucester Unitarian Universalist Church about creating a benefit.  The church board was eager to sponsor the event.

 

Regarding the benefit, Brian says, "I strongly believe that when tragedies happen in places that are out of our reach, many feel powerless to help. Coming together where we are, HERE, helps strengthen our energy, vision and ability to make a difference.  It pulls us out of isolation, to join in effort and voice.  We have the power to help right HERE by raising funds that will go where they are needed most."

 

Chloe also spoke about seeing Partners in Health in Action.  "When I saw the hospital that Partner In Health supports, it was one of the most hopeful sights there concerning the medical situation.  Paul Farmer knows Haiti, Haitians, and the situation intimately. PIH comes highly recommended by the group I visited Haiti with- both the Haitians and the Americans - and I feel confident to donate the proceeds to their good work."

Brian has pulled together great talent from Gloucester and Boston for HERE FOR HAITI.  Boston singer-songwriter, pianist, Sarah Rabdau was a finalist in WBCN Rock-n-Roll Rumble last year.  Her latest video, "Autumn Spills" is getting rotation on BRAVO. 

 

Brian's own band, What Time Is It, Mr. Fox? sold out their CD release party at the Gloucester Stage Company, and the band keeps getting bigger.  They will be joined by the newly added back-up singers, The Furies, which bring Fox's original songs to new heights. 

 

Mr. Fox will also be joined by songwriter and cellist, Kristen Miller, who will also offer her own set of Middle Eastern infused compositions, as well as the best cover of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire" ever heard.

 

Local music staple Dan King will open the night with his rootsy sound that is known to turn any audience into a family.  Local songwriter and artist, Deb Hardy will perform with her vocal group, HUM.

 

The night will also feature an African Drum ensemble and both traditional and contemporary dance.   A speaker from Partners in Health will explain exactly where and how funds will be used.

 

"For ten dollars you're going to experience a great night," Brian King promises. "And you're going to be glad that you're HERE FOR HAITI."

 

Please, contact Brian King hewasacloud@hotmail.com for high-resolution pictures of the Saut d'Eau Waterfall taken by Chloe, Chloe in Haiti, and images of the performers.

OTHER IMPORTANT LINKS:

 

Partners in Health:  http://act.pih.org/page/event/detail/wrwf

What Time Is It, Mr. Fox?:  http://www.whattimeisitmrfox.com

Sarah Rabdau: http://www.sarahrabdau.com

Dan King: http://www.danielscottking.com

Kristen Miller: http://www.cellobrew.com

Tuesday, February 02, 2010

Pitchfork: Articles: Killin' the Game: New Music From West Africa

Great, long article on new African music. Pitchfork isn't usually my bag, but I like it when they do this kind of stuff! Pitchfork: Articles: Killin' the Game: New Music From West Africa