This Memorial Day weekend at BAM, the nation’s largest festival dedicated to African diasporic dance and music opens up Brooklyn’s stages to the ancestral history and vital living artistry of Cameroon. Now in its 47th year, DanceAfrica explores the past and present of Central African history, arts, and culture, as symbolized by the calabash—a vessel of mystical, practical, and cultural significance.
The Origin of Communities / A Calabash of Cultures is a unique collaboration with the DanceAfrica Spirit Walkers and The Billie's Youth Arts Academy Dance Ensemble, joined by Women Of The Calabash, an ensemble known for its mesmerizing polyphonic sound. The artistic vision is brought to life with costume designs by Wunmi Olaiya, lighting design by Al Crawford, set design by Jasiri Kafele, and music and sound design by David Margolin Lawson, creating an immersive experience that celebrates the depth of Cameroonian culture.
