The Philadelphia Folklore Project presents
Philly Dance Africa: a social dance party featuring African diaspora musicians and dancers in a rare public performance.

November 8th, 7:00 pm
4801 Market Street, Urban Education Center

(October 1, 1997) The Philadelphia Folklore Project announces Philly Dance Africa - a rare opportunity to see and hear talented immigrant Haitian, Ghanaian, Liberian and South African drummers and dancers who now live in Philadelphia, but who seldom perform publicly. The event begins with workshops that will provide all attending with a chance to learn such dances as the Liberian "Moonlight dance," South African indlamu, and Ghanaian kpanlogo. Following is a fabulous dance party, which will give ample opportunity to mix any and all steps featuring the Pan African Ensemble led by Mogauwane Mahloele and the Haitian band Reflex.

Recent immigrants to Philadelphia include many talented musicians and dancers, some who had international performing careers before war tore apart their countries, families and lives. Many have set aside their arts, as there are few performance opportunities here. Philly Dance Africa seeks to begin to remedy this, to increase understanding of the diverse folk arts of this city, and to provide a setting where all are welcome to enjoy, learn and participate. Philly Dance Africa brings public notice to talented African musicians and dancers who live in this city, little known outside their immediate families. The program also aims to support the preservation of African music and culture in Philadelphia. To organize this showcase, the Philadelphia Folklore Project identified artists through extensive outreach in city neighborhoods.

Acclaimed artists involved include Mogauwane Mahloele, a tremendously talented Azanian (South African) drummer, musician and craftsman, who tours worldwide. Nii Armah Hammond is a gifted Ghanaian drummer who, like many other featured artists in this program, has been playing drums since he was a small child. Victoria Laryea is a Ghanaian dancer who will teach the popular dance kpanlogo. Ghanaian drummer Ismaila Adjin-Tettey, grandson of famed Yacub Tettey Addy (Odadaa!), will perform, as well as the Haitian band Reflex, which will play konpa music. Nomsa Majola-Smith, a dancer of Zulu heritage, will teach the South African social dance indlamu. From Liberia, Komassa Bobo Shareff will teach the "moonlight dance" and Liberian singer Hawa Moore, who toured with Miriam Makeba, will sing. This will be a rare opportunity to hear the musical bow, or kolon, played by Guinean musican Jess Sah Bi. Many other musicians and dancers are also involved.

According to dance scholar Katrina Hazzard, "Some of the dances to be taught and performed, like Ghanaian kpanlogo and the Liberian 'moonlight dance' come out of the post-colonial experience. Rather than being ethnic (tribal) dances, they come out of attempts to build independent nation-states with a shared national identity. Kpanlogo came out of Accra, Ghana, in the 1960s and was known as 'everybody's dance.' It is a favorite Ghanaian social dance, a Ghanaian cultural expression that is owned by all Ghanaians. It is urban, it is danced by all age groups, it is done by women and men and it can be done on any and all occasions. The "moonlight dance," from Liberia, combines movements from many different ethnic groups, and is a multi-ethnic dance. This project fills out missing aspects of African dance in Philadelphia."

The Philadelphia Folklore Project's director, Debora Kodish, states: "Dance is often taken for granted, but it is a vital form of expression and creativity, and we are proud to be providing a forum for showcasing important vernacular dance that comes out of peoples' histories and experiences, that is integral to daily life. Philly Dance Africa gives us an opportunity to showcase more of the powerful arts, and artists, who live in this city's diverse neighborhoods. We are proud to be working with so many gifted musicians and dancers, and so many dedicated community organizations, in bringing Philly Dance Africa forward. We are planning this project to engage and involve people. It will be a wonderful evening with amazing artists."

Philly Dance Africa is co-sponsored by the Ga-Adangbe Association of Pennsylvania, the Haitian Community Center of Philadelphia, the Liberian Association of Pennsylvania, Radio Haiti and the South African Zenzele Club. Interested people should call the Philadelphia Folklore Project for more information and tickets (215-726-1106). Tickets are $10.00 and may be purchased by check or Visa.

Philadelphia Folklore Project programs to expand audiences for folk arts are supported by the Lila Wallace-Reader's Digest Fund. This project is also supported by grants from the National Endowment for the Arts, Philadelphia Cultural Fund, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts, Philadelphia Cultural Fund, CoreStates and our members. The Philadelphia Folklore Project (PFP) is an 11-year-old independent public folklife agency that documents, supports and presents local folk arts and culture. PFP offers exhibitions, concerts, workshops, and assistance to artists and communities. Staff conduct ongoing field research and organize around issues of concern. PFP also maintains an archive, issues publications and shares resources.

For further information, contact Joan Huckstep or Debora Kodish at (215) 726-1106 or write c/o Philadelphia Folklore Project, 735 South 50th Street, Philadelphia, PA 19143.

PHILLY DANCE AFRICA
Date: November 8, 1997
Place: 4801 Market Street (The Urban Education Center)
Schedule:
Dance workshops: 7:00-10:00 PM
Dance party: 10:00 PM - 12:00 AM
Food and beverages will be supplied by African vendors.
Admission is $10. 00 For tickets call (215) 726-1106 - Checks and Visa accepted
Children under 12 are free. All are welcome.