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Kwanzaa Spirit 2009! Featuring James Stovall, ADLIB International Steel Drum Orchestra, Restoration Dance Theatre Company, IMPACT Repertory Theatre, Vy Higgensen's Gospel for Teens Choir and Obediah Wright Balance Dance Theatre. This is sure to be a spectacular event!
12 noon - The Marketplace Opens
1:00 - 2:30 pm
Umoja (Unity)
The Unity Processional - Africa is the birthplace of humankind, and the African drum represents the heartbeat. A processional of dancers, drummers, singers and stilt walkers symbolizing the universal call for unity and world piece begins our celebration. The audience is then led in a traditional African Libation Ceremony by, Artistic Director, James Stovall, and a corps of drummers.
Kujichagulia (Self-Determination)
Based in the musical traditions of Trinidad and Tobago, the ADLIB International Steel Drum Orchestra has pursued the mission of inspiring young people with self-determination and empowerment since its inception in 1996. This prize-winning orchestra of young musicians will express a diversity of styles including calypso, sosa, and jazz in their presentation.
Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility)
The Restoration Dance Theatre Company of Bedford-Stuyvesant, under the artistic direction of Karen Thornton-Daniels, performs traditional African dance with great exuberance and discipline.
2:30 - 3:00pm
Ujamaa (Cooperative Economics)
The Marketplace is a hub of international exchange and communication, featuring vendors, visual artists, craftsmen and women, and community organizations.
3:00 - 4:30 pm
Nia (Purpose)
IMPACT Repertory Theatre has a 12-year history of educating and bringing purpose to the lives of young people through the arts. Nominated in 2008 for an Academy Award for their participation in the feature film August Rush, they continue to touch audiences through their dynamic presentations of music, dance and spoken word.
Kuumba (Creativity)
The natural creative talents of Vy Higgensen's Gospel for Teens Choir are skillfully articulate as they pay homage to the African-American art form of gospel music. These young artists sing with impeccable vitality and spirit.
Imani (Faith)
Director/Choreographer Obediah Wright and Balance Dance Theatre pay tribute to the African and African-American experience with a 10th anniversary presentation of their acclaimed masterpiece, Higher Ground, Still Rising. This highly praised production, written and directed by Mr. Wright, inspires universal hope for the future!
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