Last week marked the 7th annual Breaking the Silence Congo Week, a global week of awareness and a call to action in the struggle for human rights in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I am reminded that centuries later descendants of the Kongo Kingdom are still struggling to rise up from the ashes. Mama Kimpa Vita's mission is yet unfulfilled. Her voice calls for us to stand up bravely and face the forces that would stamp out all that is sacred, all that
As a woman of African descent, born to an African American mother and a Central African father, I believe this project reflects the uniqueness of my journey and addresses many of the questions that permeate my existence, as I seek God, and wrestle with womanhood, motherhood, Africanity, AfricanAmericanity and all of the ‘anities’ and ‘isms’ that come along with it. As I delve deeper into Mama Kimpa Vita's story, the voices of kindred mother-martyrs have turned from whispers to raised voices, adding
By Shanti Ramrattan (Company Dancer) It’s been a year-and-a-half journey for me as a performer with the Nava Dance Theatre, and every moment thus far has been an event-filled dancer’s dream. In-depth rehearsals, constantly evolving items, the birth of new characters, re-envisioned music…and a company of the most dedicated, talented artists committed to showing up and doing, growing, being together week after week. And recently, amidst all the whirlwind of production frenzy that (in the end at least) is the
By Sophia Valath (co-Artistic Director) I have had a few experiences in my life where I didn’t quite know what I was getting into when I signed up for it…the kind of decisions that you make almost on a whim. The ones you say ‘yes’ to not because you’ve necessarily thought it through, but because an internal whisper, or some times an external voice, is pushing you in that direction. These experiences change you forever in the most unexpected and
We are back! I am so thrilled that Nava Dance Theatre is going to present The Cloud Messenger at CounterPULSE this year through year 2 of the Performing Diaspora residency program. The evening length version of The Cloud Messenger, to be premiered September 11th-14th at CounterPULSE (1310 Mission St) will feature new original musical score, new original choreography, new dancers, and new costumes. The piece will be directed by Sophia and myself, and will be choreographed by Sophia, Arun, and
Our final meeting for Performing Diaspora involved many tears. Emotions were palpable as artists spoke about having community for the first time, and staff expressed the fulfillment of a long-term vision. This has truly been a unique experience, and I feel emotionally and professionally bound to these people, many of whom I just met a few months ago. To be an artist and to be able to create your work, without worrying about paying for studio space, without worrying about
En Route From lived story to stories lived on the stage. Next it will be on screen. From the many roads I had to take to escape the fires, now the roads are imprinted in my mind. All I can do is share the hope that kept me alive, and hopefully this will inspire the world, inspire the young people in my country and the elders as well. Taboo and Heroes project has reached another stage of its process; the
Their lives were stolen, Their memory remains, So long as we speak and toil, Their lives were not in vain.
Mama Kimpa Vita The greatest lesson I've learned through this creative process is to be still and listen, not be chained solely to my words, my thoughts, and my perspective but to get quiet enough for spirit to speak and be heard. When approaching Mama Kimpa Vita's story, I asked myself many questions... Why is she important? What about her story is relevant today? Why does her story need to be told? There are so many reasons to venerate this
[View the story "Performing Diaspora Symposium 2013" on Storify]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exgutLHUDso&feature=youtu.be The Piece "The Cloud Messenger" is a Bharatanatyam piece is about a yaksha (or demi-god) who is exiled and separated from his beloved. When he feels like all hope is lost, he finds solace in a young raincloud and tries hard to convince her to embark on a difficult journey, to ultimately take a message of love to his beloved. This magical and unconventional romance shows why loves journey, though risky, is indeed something beautiful. Vision My goal for
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Dec. 5th, 2024 @ 8:00PMEvent Detail Button
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