Welcome to IMMERSION: Rhythms of the Diaspora
Presented by Cumbe's Dance for Joy! Performance Workshop Series
Today, we celebrate the journey of African dance and drumming across the Atlantic. Rooted in the motherland, these traditions evolved and flourished in the Caribbean and the Americas, carrying with them the wisdom, resilience, and boundless spirit of Black communities. This performance is a testament to the power of movement, rhythm, and cultural exchange. Through each step, beat, and breath, we honor the legacy of African and Diaspora dance.
Thank you for joining us on this journey of joy, resistance, and transformation.
Special THANK YOU to all of our teaching artists, staff, students, and community members who made this show possible. Your dedication, hard work, and love for this art form are felt in every movement and rhythm.
Dance for Joy! is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council and Council Member Chi Ossé, the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of the Office of the Governor, the New York State Legislature and Assembly Member Stefani Zinerman, and the National Endowment for the Arts. The program also receives support from the Robert and Mercedes Eichholz Foundation and Fidelity Charitable Trust.
Performances
“Rhythms of Cote D'Ivoire”
Feel the thunderous call of the djembe and dunun drums, instruments that connect us to the heart of West Africa. Vado Diomandé shares rhythms that bring life to ceremony, celebration, and resistance.
West African Drumming | Vado Diomande
Student Performers: Cynthia A. Mustafa, Deborah Howard, Cesar Aguilar, Namisata Soumahoro, Carlos Francis, Aislinn Ridley, Nina Brown, Orly Benun, Kai'Tondre (Kai) Menafe, Hongying Zhang (Vivian)
"It's Time to Play"
Sometimes we get so caught up in our everyday routine that we forget to have fun. This piece is a tribute to having fun by simply catching drum beats. It's time to play!
Belly Dance | Jaida
Student Performers: Erica Lewis, Soranyi torres, Desiree LeGrand, LaVida Dowdell, Florencia Gomez, Oshun, Nicole Salk, Aliyah Williams, Jenny Wang, Karen McGeachy, Chelsea Hinds-Charles, Dominique Bravo, Ana Han, Ankita Nalavade, Sigal Gino, Sarah Eloiseau, Elvira Redzanova
"Mvukana"
Experience the evolution of traditional to modern Congolese dance and the connection between 3 generations!!
Congolese Dance & Drum | Andoche Loubaki
Student Performers: Cynthia A. Mustafa, Aqila Norris, Janet griffith, "Shepsa" Tameka Jones, Aaliyah Agard, Aislinn Ridley, Larisa Doroshenko
"Kilofeshe: No Ordinary"
Kilofese is a Yoruba word that means, "What you wanna do about it." Represented by the dance in this vibrant piece, the accompanying song talks about how we aren't ordinary and ordinary things don't impress us!!
Afro Fusion Dance | Tamara Jones
Student Performers: Sandra lawrence,Terehas Walters, Ahtivah, Darnel Rogers Richards, Victoria Lucas Williams, Rachel Zank, Rachel Wagman, Mounanou Badila, Xena Rosado, Jacquese Harrison, Akira Trotman, Mercy Carpenter, Elyse Morris, Sanaa Himani, Kyla, Tommi Maynard, Austin Thierry, Ary Myles, Jennifer Simmons, Elizabeth Takyi, Kina Thomas
"Good Vibes"
Join us as we celebrate good music, good friends and good vibes with Rabòday Fit! Representing the high energy dance fitness class let by Robenson Mathurin.
Rabòday Fit | Robenson Mathurin
Student Performers: Aqila Norris, Destiny Estrada, Jayda Shanks, Kina Thomas, Mary Smith-Mitchell, Sandra Lawrence
"Raizes do Samba"
In this performance, Quenia introduces the Afro Brazilian dances and movements originating from Angola, Congo, Benin and Nigeria. These dances and rhythms are the roots to the many forms of Samba that we find in Brazil today!!
Afro-Brazilian & Samba | Quenia Ribeiro
Student Performers: Xena Rosado, Mary Smith-Mitchell, Zarina Dixon, Kamaye Alethia Surgeon, Frank Song Jr., Mercy Carpenter, Kamaria Brisseau, Maritza Okata, Yold Delius, Samuel Buchanan, Irene Katehis, Aledra, Sandrine Saint Louis, Laura Ferreira Espinal, Elsa Taylor
"RISE"
Rooted in Katherine Dunham's revolutionary technique, RISE shares Dunham’s legacy reminding us to stand against injustice and use our voices, music, and dance to fight for a better world.
Dunham-Informed Jazz | Candice Michelle Franklin
Student Performers: Sadie Levy, Nai- Robi Cousar, Lalebela Moore, Isabella Arguello, Asia Lambert, Orta(Tanya) Thelusma, Courtney Pretlow, Alicia Thomas, Cailla Cruz, Jernee Montoya, Mariah Maisonet, Leyla Pringle, Yold Delius, Christine McLeod, Andrea Shasgus Parkinson, Elle Robinson, Hetty Cunningham, Luna Taveras, Christopher Bisram, Stephanie Shider, Ain Cadet, Stephanie Shider, Valerie McLeod-Katz
"Chwal Papa Ogou"
In this dance, we honor Papa Ogou, or Ogou Feray. He a warrior spirit, known for riding a horse, his sword and being a blacksmith. Papa Ogou is believed to have help enslaved Africans win the Haitian Revolution and is a symbol of protection.
Haitian Folkloric Dance | Julio Jean
Student Performers: Aqila Norris, Mary Smith-Mitchell, Mercy Carpenter, Orta Thelusma/Tanya, Christopher Semper, Jolie Dumay, Oluwadamilare Ayorinde, Candace Thompson-Zachery, Ain Cadet, Bronwyn Breitner, Regina King, Judith Jean-Bruce, Oceana James
Special Mentions!
Join us in congratulating Vado Diomandé on his 30th anniversary of arriving in New York City from the Ivory Coast.
Vado is a true treasure: founder and artistic director of Kotchegna Dance Company, keeper of the sacred mask dance of Gue-Pelou (“God of the Sacred Forest”), master dancer and drummer, drum-maker, and beloved teacher of thousands. We are immensely lucky to have him on faculty at Cumbe.
This year, Cumbe has collaborated with two other teaching artists in special projects supported by the New York State Council on the Arts (NYSCA): Candice Michelle Franklin, who teaches Dunham-Informed Jazz Dance at Cumbe, is the owner of Pro DANZ® Group, and producer and choreographer for Jazz Ain’t Dead®, received a NYSCA award this year for the commission of new choreography. She also took on a new role as the Artistic Director of RISE, Cumbe’s new community performance company. Today RISE will perform original choreography created by Candice especially for this exciting new dance group, composed entirely of Cumbe students!
Quenia Ribeiro, who teaches Afro-Brazilian and Samba at Cumbe and is the artistic director of Grupo Ribeiro, was awarded a NYSCA grant for a Traditional Arts Apprenticeship program. She worked with long-time student and Grupo Ribeiro company member Lisa Green to deepen Lisa’s knowledge of the Brazilian dances which are the roots of Samba: Samba de Roda, Jongo, Samba Miudinho. Quenia and Lisa led several special workshops this year on these dances. You’ll experience the roots of Samba in the performance today by Quenia’s students!
In addition, we’d like to shout-out Robenson Mathurin, who has received a NYSCA award to produce new choreography in 2025! Robinson will use the award to develop TRANZISYON, a two-part choreographic work that explores the internal mental, emotional, and spiritual processing of a group of young Haitians who choose the unknown of a foreign land over the known instability and insecurity of their home in Haiti.
CELEBRATE THE END OF 2024 WITH US!
As we bid farewell to 2024, we invite you to immerse yourself in the vibrant rhythms and rich traditions of Brazil and the Congo!
Join Us Year-Round
Love what you see tonight? Stay connected with Cumbe!
🌐 Visit us at cumbedance.org
📲 Follow us on social media @cumbedance
📅 Sign up for a class or attend our next performance, FAREWELL ‘24.
Together, we continue to honor, preserve, and evolve the vibrant traditions of African and Diaspora dance. Thank you for sharing this unforgettable experience with us.
Let the rhythm move you. Let the joy of dance transform you.
— Your Cumbe Family