If you have a trip to the Motherland on your bucket list, the Legacy Arts Project served up a taste of the diaspora when it presented the third Dance African Pittsburgh program at the August Wilson Center for African American Culture on April 26.
Cultural immersion was immediate; as soon as you walked into the lobby as Fashion Africana models offered a visual appetizer in costumes steeped in African cultures and drummers provided the beats to get your mind and soul into the proper spirit for the festivities to follow.
In keeping with tradition, Baba Chuck Davis, founder and artistic director of the African American Dance Ensemble and Dance Africa, introduced the evening and issued a call for the elders in attendance to join in a processional to the stage.
The Legacy Arts Project dancers then presented Lamban, a celebratory dance from the old Mali Empire of African as a welcome to the gala.
Immediately followed a memorial rite to honor those who’ve transitioned to the “Ancestral Grounds.” The audience was invited to participate by calling the names of those they wanted to acknowledge.
Illstyle & Peace, a high-energy dance troupe from Philadelphia, ignited the stage with a selection entitled “Kingz,” a showcase of warrior dances based on “the power that exists in the Black man.”
Described as a dance for Africa and the African people, it is a mash-up of hip-hop and traditional African dance steps.
The intermission consisted of a fashion show featuring clothes with an African flair to continue the Motherland’s influence through the evening.
The proceedings continued with a different offering from Illstyle entitled “Movement for the People,”a dance from the spirit of God and love that pushes talent and creativity in the expression of life, love, peace and unity.
The group kicked the energy up even higher as their performance incorporated dance, acrobatics, break-dancing and spinning; the young people were truly challenging the laws of physics and dexterity.
Another flavor of the diaspora came courtesy of the Oyu Oro Afro Cuban Experimental Dance Ensemble sharing a bit of folklore that survived the Middle Passage to reach the shore of the new world.
“Oriki ha Obba Ilu” is a celebration for Chango (known as King of Kings) and a story of three different orishas associated with the Yoruba religion of Africa. The instruments featured in this performance are considered sacred and integral to the story that is transmitted through dance, song and drumming. The program concluded with a finale of the dance troupes together on stage. A family-friendly after party finished off the night.
The Dance Africa performance was the culmination of a weekend of activities that included a “community convo” and meet and greet with founder and artistic director of the African American Dance Ensemble and Dance Africa Baba Charles “Chuck” Davis at the Homewood Coliseum. His commitment to honoring elders and ancestors reminds the generations of the value of learning from and retaining knowledge from traditional cultures. A workshop with students of the Hill Dance Academy Theatre and youth matinee provided an educational exposure to the culture and a presentation from Illstyle about bullying.
Dance Africa is the longest standing celebration of African dance in the world. Founded 38 years ago, this gathering was held at the Brooklyn Academy of Music in 1976 as a way to celebrate dance of the African diaspora. Kudos to the Legacy Arts Project for its dedication to preserving and furthering the cultural legacy of African diaspora in Pittsburgh.
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