Ngoma Program 03/18/23

ARTISTICDIRECTOR ARTISTICDIRECTOR

BABADUNJO OLAGUNKÉ BABADUNJO OLAGUNKÉ

COMING COMING TOGETHER TOGETHER PRESENTS PRESENTS

28th Annual Concert

March 18, 2023 at 7:30 pm

Booker Hall

University of Richmond

Artistic Director: Babadunjo Olagunké

GOMA AFRICAN DANCE COMPANY

The Ngoma African Dance Company is an ensemble devoted to preserving the African Diaspora and folkloric art forms. Ngoma was founded in 1994 by Markita Boney (now Markita Brooks). She wanted to create a space where students would come together, vibe, release stress, and workout! This season we celebrate 28 YEARS and Ngoma still carries on in this fashion. The company has operated under the artistic director of Babadunjo Olagunké for 27 of those years.

NGOMA is defined as drum and dancing in Swahili, the perfect phrase to encompass this years performance. The theme of this year's presentation is "Coming Together!"

We have united together in partnership with music ensembles on campus and choreographic contributions from company members of various African groups within the company. In unity we are able to grow together and create something truly special!

Enjoy family… Asé ohhhhhhhh!!!

E PROGRAM Act I

DrumCall&Libation

Musicians: Roderick Davis, Ray Nicholson, Babadunjo Olagunké, Baba Will Anderson, Trey Anderson

Frekoba

Choreography by Babadunjo Olagunké

Performed by Shira Greer, Lay'La Harmon, Halleluya Kaleb, Kay Lina, Genice Thomas

Frekoba is a play dance between boys and girls originating from Nigeria.

GlobalMusicEnsembleAfricanDrumClass &CommunityDrummers

ADifferentTimeForUs

Choreography by Laeticia Tamufor

Performed by Laeticia Tamufor

This piece is meant to empower women through their “weaknesses.” The piece is introduced by “EVERY THREE HOURS” a poem by South African poet, Koleka Putuma, on protesting femicide where she discloses the insecurities women are burdened with carrying because “we live in a man’s world.” This is followed by “Stability” a song by uprising Nigerian Artist, Ayra Starr, which alludes to the fact that WE are aware of the dangers and hate that come with the empowerment of women, however, that doesn’t stop the fact THIS is OUR time to Shine. The piece closes with the song “Deux Oeufs Spaghetti” by bilingual Cameroonian artist, Ko-C, who sings about the pride one carries in their culture. All these elements come together to talk about the things that unite us.

E PROGRAM

Act I

Showcase

Choreography and performance by Michelle Darfour, Lay'La Harmon, Aida Lette, Kay Lina, Genice Thomas

This dance was created by select members of the company to celebrate dances from different African ethnic groups!

GlobalMusicEnsembleAfricanDrumClass&CommunityDrummers

Ensemble leader: Roderick Davis

Students collaborate with expert musicians to perform hands-on exploration of West African drumming traditions.

Out of the Box

Choreography by Babadunjo Olagunke

Music by: Fela and remixed by Masters At Work: Expensive

Performed by: Anaiya Forte, Aida Lette, Genice Thomas, Grace Randolph, Kay Lina, Laeticia Tamufor, Liberty Jenkins-Wilson, Michelle Darfour, Mofiyinfoluwa TunjiEkundayo, Shira Green, Stephanie Moki

Representing contemporary and traditional dance movements fused together to a celebratory soundtrack

HE PROGRAM

Act II

SokowithGlobalMusicEnsembleAfricanDrumClass

Choreography by Babadunjo Olagunké

Performed by Dajanae Bivens, Aida Lette, Stephanie Moki, Grace Randolph, Mofiyinfoluwa Tunji-Ekundayo

The dance is normally performed by the children as they enter the village to the rhythm being played and prior to initiation rites for young boys. The women dancing are giving their blessings to the initiates with their presentation.

Dundungba

Choreography by Babadunjo Olagunké

Performed by Liberty Jenkins-Wilson, Laeticia Tamufor , Michelle Darfour, An

Dundungba is a dance of the strong originating from Burkina Faso and is the most popular in Guinea. This dance is done prior to wrestling matches, celebrations, and important village events. The rhythm calls the dancers to show their strength, creativity, and their ability to challenge and do battle with other dancers.

FormalDrumCall

Musicians: Roderick Davis, Ray Nicholson, Babadunjo Olagunké, Baba Will Anderson, Trey Anderson

Balanta

Choreography by Babadunjo Olagunké

Performed by all in the company

This season we celebrate 28 YEARS and continuing with the rich legacy of The Ngoma African Dance Company on the campus of University of Richmond. We will end with our Finale: Ballanta! Originating from Guinea-Bissau, SenegalCasamance Region of West Africa. This is a coming of age and initiation rites dance from childhood to adulthood.

ABOUT THE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Babadunjo Olagunké is a professional dancer, choreographer, adjudicator, consultant, and costume designer. Since 1983, Baba D has instructed 1000's of students, numerous award winning teams, high schools, workshops, clinics, camps, organizations, and independent ensembles. He currently is the Artistic Director of The Ngoma African Dance Ensemble at University of Richmond, The Founder, Chairman, Artistic Coordinator of The Akoma Dance & Drum Performance Ensemble, formerly the coArtistic Director of The Ezibu Muntu African Dance Theatre, The Color Guard Coordinator for Powhatan High School, Freedom HS- Visual Ensemble Instructor, The Executive Director of Light Brigade South Color Guard & Performance Ensemble. Baba D also performed with The Carolina Gold Drum & Bugle Corps-Charter member and The Light Brigade World Winter Guard, which was The European Champions in 2007. He was also awarded numerous Outstanding Performer Awards with those ensembles. He has served as a dance liaison in Senegal, West Africa and is a member of the Dzifa Masquerade Society. He has worked closely with the late Baba Chuck Davis' African American Dance Ensemble and late Baba Melvin Deals’ African Heritage Dancers and Drummers. Babadunjo has over 33 years of experience in African Dance. His educational background includes studying at VCU with a concentration in Physical Education and a minor in Dance/Choreography. In 2015, he was inducted into The Atlantic Indoor Association's Hall of Honor.

ABOUT THE DRUM INSTRUCTOR

Roderick Davis has worked in education for nearly 2 decades, having a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Architectural Drafting & Design from Virginia State University, Advanced Certifications in Principles of Engineering and Introduction to Engineering Design from Duke University, and several professional Computer Aided Drafting Certified User certifications. Mr. Davis was introduced to West African Drum and Dance in 1994 by his former teacher, mentor and founding member of Ezibu Muntu, Renne Knight.Roderick has actively dedicated himself as a drummer for 3 decades to Ezibu Muntu,Akoma de Gado, N’Goma, and to his community. He has held the positions of Lead Drummer and Musical Director for 20 years. He has also taught djembe music for 10 years as an adjunct professor at Virginia Commonwealth University and University of Richmond. While teaching at MLK Middle, Roderick created an after school program for young boys focusing on leadership through learning West African music, which had an 8 year span. Roderick is also the co-founder of Capoeira Resisténcia Richmond with world renowned capoeira master from São Paulo, Brazil, Mestre Panão. He has trained and taught under the direct tutelage of M. Panão for 17 years. Mr. Davis is now the group’s first graduated American Professor of capoeira and is now teaching this Brazilian martial art form in Richmond and Charlottesville VA.

THE COMPANY

Dajanae Bivens ("DaDrill") is a fourth year at UR from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania majoring in Biology. What brought her to Ngoma was her passion for dancing and performing. This is Dajanae’s fourth year with Ngoma, and she enjoys it because it pushes her out of her comfort zone.

Shira Greer ("Booked") is a senior at UR from Fairfax, Virginia. She is majoring in American Studies with minors in Africana Studies, Data Science & Statistics, and Women, Gender, & Sexuality Studies. She joined Ngoma after being roped in by her best friend Katiana and because she wanted to try something new to close out her UR experience. She’s glad Katiana brought her into the family!

Mofiyinfoluwa Tunji-Ekundayo ("Downunder") is a third year at UR from Baltimore, Maryland. She is a double major in Accounting & French. Born and raised in Nigeria, Fiyin was drawn to Ngoma African Dance with the desire to connect more with her culture and challenge herself and her body in a way she had not before.

Lay’la Harmon ("On Time") is a second year at UR from Chester, Pennsylvania planning to major in Sociology and Leadership with a minor in Biology. Lay’la loves Ngoma because it is a creative outlet for her, a place where she can be stress free and engage with dance in a meaningful way.

Katiana Isaac (“I Don’t Know") the current president of Ngoma, is a junior from Jersey (not New Jersey just Jersey, if you know you know) double majoring in Rhetoric and Communication Studies and Latin/(x) American Studies with a minor in Anthropology. This is her first year dancing with Ngoma African Dance Company but she has had dance experience prior to the university with Roots 1804 (Haitian performing arts company). Katiana is involved in a little bit of everything and can’t help adding one more thing to her plate. Through NGOMA, her love and passion for dance has been revived after a long hiatus. She is thankful for all that she’s learned and experienced, especially from her late mentor, Margareth Louis.

HE COMPANY

Michelle Darfour ("Too Short") is a first year at UR from NOVA (Northern Virginia, not Villanova). She intends to double major in Mathematical Economics and Business Administration with concentrations in Finance and Accounting. Michelle was introduced to Ngoma through a GroupMe message from Kati, the president of Ngoma. She joined because she was searching for an activity that would expand her horizons as someone with such a technical and number-based personality. It also serves as an escape from her other endeavors.

Aniya Fortre ("Da Step") is a first-year from Silver Spring, Maryland. Anaiya’s intended major is Health Studies with a possible minor in Biology and Chinese. Anaiya is also on the Pre-Physician assistant track and planning to go to PA school after undergraduate. Ngoma has become one of Anaiya’s most enriching experiences at U of R. She has gained new interests and skills while also gaining an amazing community around her. Being a part of Ngoma has allowed Anaiya to create amazing friendships and plans to be in Ngoma for the rest of her time at U of R.

Liberty Jenkins-Wilson ("No Comment") is a first-year at UofR from Wilmington, Delaware. Liberty plans to major in Political Science and/or Leadership on the Pre-Law track for Criminal Justice, minoring in Africana Studies and Sociology. As a black student at a PWI, Liberty joined Ngoma as a way to creatively relieve stress and anxiety from classes and home life and connect with other black students.

Halleluya Kaleb ("Last One") is a first year student at University of Richmond from Northern Virginia. She plans to major in cognitive science and possibly health studies. Upon meeting Kati, she was convinced to join Ngoma. The chance to freely express herself and explore other African cultures through the art of dance is one of the many reasons she loves Ngoma! She has always wanted to join a dance group and Ngoma was the perfect opportunity.

Aida Lette ( "Rhythm Nation") is a first year at UR from Northern Virginia. They are interested in double majoring in leadership and something in the humanities and minoring in sociology. Aida was introduced to Ngoma by Katiana and Lay’la because they’ve always been interested in expressing themselves in creative ways, usually fine art, and was interested in trying something new. They wish to keep the environment as meaningful and affirming as it is when they first started.

THE COMPANY

Kay Lina ("Shermixolot") is a first year at University of Richmond from Silver Spring, Maryland. She plans to double major in Computer Science and Business Administration concentration in Analytics. Although she was never a part of any school clubs before, she instantly knew she had to join Ngoma when first introduced to it at the club fair. Being a Black woman in a new environment attending a PWI, Ngoma has created a safe space where Kay can comfortably express herself through dance. She is grateful for all the amazing black women she has gotten to know and love through Ngoma, a home away from home.

Stephanie Moki ("ITwirl")is a first-year student at the University of Richmond from Easton, Pennsylvania. She plans to major in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and a double minor in Sociology and Voice. Stephanie has always found joy in expressing herself through art, and when she was introduced to Ngoma at the club fair, she knew it was the place for her. Stephanie loves Ngoma because she is proud to be a part of a wonderful legacy that has created a beautiful community that uplifts and encourages the people of color on campus.

Grace Randolph ("Yasss") is a first year at UR from Suffolk, Virginia. She wants to major in Journalism. Grace was introduced to Ngoma by Lay’la, who successfully convinced her to join. She also wanted to reach her goal of stepping out of her usual interests and opening herself up to a new experience and community.

Laeticia Tamufor ("IWork")s a first year from Yaounde, Cameroon who, during her early years, wanted to be a dancer for Michael Jackson but unfortunately those dreams were short lived (RIP MJ). However, her love and passion for the arts never died as she kept performing throughout middle and high school. She is grateful for the safe space, and release from academics which Ngoma provides, and loves to share this space with other talented women. Now, she aims to pursue a major in Computer Science and a minor in Health Studies.

Genice Thomas ("Hangry") is a first-year from Jersey. She is undecided with interests across the social sciences, humanities. and environmental Studies. Genice was introduced to Ngoma through Lay’la & Kati and has had an invaluable experience. Ngoma has been a space to build community and tap into a part of herself she rarely shows. She loves how we can be unapologetically us, come together to create art, and showcase culture on campus.

SPECIAL THANKS TO:

The Modlin Center for the Arts

Alicia Diaz

Dr. Andy McGraw

Tammy McCain

Anne Van Gelder

Samantha Salters

Chris O’Neil

Akum De Gado

Katiana Isaac