Ignite Africa: Performance & Reflection
Malena Amusa & company joined forces with a great charity to help Ignite Africa! We gathered at The Christy in O'Fallon Missouri. Partnering with the Igniting Africa non-profit, we helped raised critical awareness for education, humanitarian and business programs in Africa. The night was truly wonderful. We danced our hearts out, bringing people to their feet. I was reminded of the importance of African dance to stir our minds and spirits, blazing a path for a better world. Take a look...
are truly blessed. People are drawn to our magnetic art, making the task of inspiring and healing lives so much fun.
alike love African dance. It's a great way to give people a soulful, cultural personality, helping them stand-out, lead, and get along with others.
I ask myself, why do we dance? Well, we dance to invigorate people, to turn apathy into action and silence into solutions. Just like a first aid kit, dance should be in every school, every hospital, and every home.
is working with children. They have unlimited potential. If we teach them and guide them, they will grow to meet our greatest hopes.
I'm obsessed with telling a story, and delivering a powerful message and experience. For Ignite Africa, I evoked an Egyptian scene to show the grace and excellence of ancient African society. It was a mini love story, about a queen who couldn't be satisfied by any of the court entertainers, except her Pharaoh who won her heart with a blazing solo dance.
In Africa, men and women dance. Star dancer Robert RauTu Harris show us just why. His incredible strength and agility is a marvel to watch. RauTu slashes the air with the grace of a lion, landing on his feet like a dove. African dance reminds us that the strength of a man is in not only in his physical power, but his gracious actions.
from Guinea called Sorsonet is one of my favorite. Here, dancer Anoa Alimayu dons the protective mask to try and entertain the queen of Egypt. She really brought the spirits down, imbibing the room with an ancient, healing energy.
have trained for years. Djembefola Andrew Behnen and Dununfola Atum Jones are masters at talking with their instruments. They really know how to light up a room, and tell a dancer when it's time to bring the house down!
In African, we are called to do our own dance, by ourselves. This takes a lot of confidence, but also allows us to see the soul of a person. Star dancer Rayshunda Abeni Childs is an ace solo dancer. Here, she performs Marakadon from Mali, showing the might of women and the confidence to smile through a very grueling routine.
We dance to make a better world for our kids. Good thing they are dancing with us, and learning the discipline and valor it takes to be great performers and great people. The children are simply wonderful. To see their spirits come alive through African dance is one of my life's greatest joys.
Oh just look at our kiddies. They make us so proud!
Audience participation was one of the best parts of the night. People who have never lifted their knees to a beat are asked to try a couple steps. It really re-arranges people's energy. If you can walk, you can dance. If you can talk, you can sing...
Without the drums, we can not muster the energy to defy gravity and dance at the speed of light. Djembe drummers pour their heart into the rhythms, allowing us to rise up and soar with the Gods!
Every body has a gift to offer. Once we go about refining that gift and sharing it with others, we put in motion the cycle of blessing that make every day a success.
This December, my company Addlife! celebrates its 5th year in operation. That's 1, 825 days of non-stop dance practice and innovative programming. Ignite Africa was a perfect way to end this season, and a begin a new one. Every day that my works help to connect you to a higher cause, to do more with your talents, and stimulate our community and economy, I feel my job is done.
I want to thank you for visiting this photo gallery made possible by my awesome photographer and film maker Shaye Smith. I want to thank my great team of dancers and musicians. I also want to say a special thank you to Martin Niboh and family for inviting us to perform. His charity Igniting Africa is doing great work. I'm glad to be a part. -- Malena Amusa