BAM presents DanceAfrica 2014 with a focus on Madagascar
Company:
Brooklyn Academy of Music
BAM presents DanceAfrica 2014: Celebrating Africa’s Bantaba
The festive Memorial Day weekend tradition under the artistic direction of Baba Chuck Davis returns with Groupe Bakomanga (Madagascar), AACC Dance & Drum Performance Company (Buffalo), Asase Yaa African-American Dance Theatre (Brooklyn), and BAM/Restoration DanceAfrica Ensemble (Brooklyn)
Madagascar Slim headlines Special Opening Celebration on Sunday, May 18
The 37th annual celebration also includes BAMcafé Live, visual arts, FilmAfrica, and DanceAfrica Bazaar
DanceAfrica 2014: Celebrating Africa’s Ban
Artistic Director Chuck Davis
BAM Howard Gilman Opera House (30 Lafayette Ave)
DanceAfrica 2014 Opening Celebration
May 18 at 3pm
Tickets: $25
DanceAfrica 2014 Memorial Day weekend performances:
May 23 at 7:30pm
May 24 at 2 & 7:30pm
May 25 & 26 at 3pm
Tickets start at $20 (half-price for ages 16 & under)
Brooklyn, NY/Apr 7, 2014—DanceAfrica, the nation’s largest African dance festival, returns to BAM for the 37th year with its traditional Memorial Day weekend extravaganza of dance, music, film, visual arts, and community events. Under the artistic direction of Dr. Charles “Chuck” Davis, DanceAfrica 2014: Celebrating Africa’s Bantaba (“dancing ground”) shines a spotlight on Madagascar for the first time.
Music and dance ensemble Groupe Bakomanga of Madagascar, founded and led by Malagasy music star Mariette Rasoarinala, makes its US debut. Madagascar, the world’s second largest island country, with its infusion of African and Asian settlers and French influence, maintains a unique and diverse heritage. Bakomanga embraces this rich variety of cultural sources, using jubilant accordion-driven music and traditional dance to honor its ancestors, to celebrate the rice harvest and other festivities, and to welcome visitors. Three-time Juno (Canada’s Grammy) award winner Madagascar Slim headlines the May 18 opening celebration with Malagasy-style blues.
