Wofabe 2014
Jeffrey Page
Kinetic Afrique
Harambee Sandella Malloy
Sabar Dance
And so much more....
Saturday, November 15, 2014
12:00pm-1:00pm
Karen Love
Children Class
12:00pm-1:30pm
LaMora
Afro Cuban
1:45pm-3:15pm
Sis. Zul Latifatu Zahiratu
West African Dance
3:30pm-5:00pm
Sandella Malloy
West African Dance
5:15 pm-6:45 pm
Mouminatou Camara
Guinea Dance
7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Jeffrey Page
Mali Dance
Sunday, November 15
12:00 pm-1:30 pm
Nima Camara
Guinea Dance
1:45pm-3:15pm
Mama Yaa
Ghanaian Dance
3:30pm-5:00pm
Babacar M'Baye
Sabar Dance
5:15pm-6:45pm
Damon Foster
West African Dance
The mission of Wofabe: African Dance and Drum Festival is to preserve and share the finest traditions of African dance and drumming to encourage cross-cultural understanding. This mission relates to our overall mission to celebrate traditional African culture, aesthetics and values as resources for all people. As we look forward to your support for our ninth year, we have begun the planning for our 10 year anniversary November 2015--YES! Wofabe turns 10!
Your generous donation will support our mission of continuing the legacy of African Dance and Drumming in New Jersey. Visit our GOFUNDME page and join the network of donors supporting us so that everyone can continue to come, learn, and DANCE!
Sincerely,
The Wofabe Festival Committee
Jeffrey Page
Kinetic Afrique
Harambee Sandella Malloy
Sabar Dance
And so much more....
Saturday, November 15, 2014
12:00pm-1:00pm
Karen Love
Children Class
12:00pm-1:30pm
LaMora
Afro Cuban
1:45pm-3:15pm
Sis. Zul Latifatu Zahiratu
West African Dance
3:30pm-5:00pm
Sandella Malloy
West African Dance
5:15 pm-6:45 pm
Mouminatou Camara
Guinea Dance
7:00 pm-8:30 pm
Jeffrey Page
Mali Dance
Sunday, November 15
12:00 pm-1:30 pm
Nima Camara
Guinea Dance
1:45pm-3:15pm
Mama Yaa
Ghanaian Dance
3:30pm-5:00pm
Babacar M'Baye
Sabar Dance
5:15pm-6:45pm
Damon Foster
West African Dance
The mission of Wofabe: African Dance and Drum Festival is to preserve and share the finest traditions of African dance and drumming to encourage cross-cultural understanding. This mission relates to our overall mission to celebrate traditional African culture, aesthetics and values as resources for all people. As we look forward to your support for our ninth year, we have begun the planning for our 10 year anniversary November 2015--YES! Wofabe turns 10!
Your generous donation will support our mission of continuing the legacy of African Dance and Drumming in New Jersey. Visit our GOFUNDME page and join the network of donors supporting us so that everyone can continue to come, learn, and DANCE!
Sincerely,
The Wofabe Festival Committee
Founder/Artistic Director - Karen Love
In 2006 Love created Wofabe African Dance and Drum Festival. Wofabe is New Jersey's only African dance and drum festival. The festival consists of African dance and drum classes, panel discussions, free children classes, and an evening dance concert. The festival has been presented at Newark Arts High School, Science Park High School, Central High School and the Historic Newark Symphony Hall. Born in Montclair, Love earned her MFA from New York University Tisch School of the Arts and her B.F.A. from Montclair State University. Love is the Founder and Artistic Director of Umoja Dance Company which began in 1993 and Usaama Dance Company 1995. She is the director of the Dance Department at Hillside High School, director of the After School Dance Program for the Hillside Public Schools District and an adjunct professor at Montclair State University. She is a former faculty member in the Junior Division at The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Love is a certified Pilates Mat Instructor and a certified Yoga instructor. In 2012, Love opened the Umoja Dance Studio in Vaux Hall, NJ. The studio offers dance, drum, capoeira, and fitness classes for ages three to adult.
Awards include: Montclair State University Excellence in Choreography Award and the Outstanding Senior Award, The New Jersey State Council on the Arts Fellowship Grant, Harkness Choreographers Space Grant at SUNY Purchase, Who's Who Among American Teachers 2004 and 2005, and was honored as one of the "50 Women You Should Know in Montclair, NJ" and as a "Women of Distinction" by The YWCA of Essex and West Hudson.
Jeffrey Page
Emmy Award nominated choreographer, Jeffrey Page, offers an energetic fusion of traditional African Dance, hip-hop, funk and soul. Page's intricate movements have been featured on Fox's So You Think You Can Dance, Beyonce's Tour - The Beyonce Experience, MTV's Video Music Awards, the BET Awards, and the World Music Awards to name a few. A talented dancer in his own right, Jeffrey Page is also a trained actor, director, and musician. To each job, Page brings a wealth of dance, theatre, and film knowledge.
Damon Foster
Damon's love of African dance began in 1984 at the young age of 10 at Bernice Johnson's renowned Cultural Arts Center, where he took classes with his mother and sister. By the time he was 15 years old, Foster's focus, dedication and raw talent caught the eye of Carolyn DeVore, who offered him a coveted dance instructor's position at the esteemed DeVore Dance Center in Hollis, NY, where he's trained upwards of 10,000+ children and adults over a 22-year time period.
Sandella Malloy
Sandella Malloy is a dancer, choreographer and instructor residing in New York City. She is also the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Harambee Dance Company. For over fifteen years, she has created new and innovative works that fuse African dance with other world forms. She seeks to present the strong social and cultural values of Africa in a modern artistic context.
Babacar M'Baye
Born in a griot family of Wolof people, Babacar M'Baye's professional career began on tour with the Second Ballet of Senegal. Mr. M'Baye is admired in his homeland as one of Dakar's most exciting and formidable dancers. He upholds the tradition of Sabar dance by drawing power from the traditions of his people, while contributing his innovative spirit and style toward its continuation. Mr. M'Baye has toured the United States with Ballet Sinomiye of Senegal and the Ballet Bougarabou Du Senegal. He has become one of New York City's talented instructors of Sabar dance and is the renowned choreographer for the celebrated group Sing Sing Rhythms. Mr. M'Baye has traveled the US and abroad teaching at workshops in Atlanta, California, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and Japan.
Mouminatou Camara
Mouminatou Camara founded Seewe African Dance Company in September 2005. Mouminatou is praised as the pre-eminent female instructor of Guinea dance in the United States. For a decade, she was the principal dancer for the world-renowned dance company, Les Ballet Africans - the national ballet for Guinea. She also performed with Les Ballet Djoliba and the Army Ballet. A brilliant instructor and performer of West African Dance and Drum, Mouminatou Camara has performed and taught workshops extensively in the USA, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Martinique and the West African countries of Senegal, Mali and the Ivory Coast.
Nimatoulaye Camara
Nimatoulaye Camara was born in Guinea, West Africa to a family of Griots. Griots or "Djeli" are highly revered traditional praise singers and keepers of the oral history. Her father was the internationally reknown legendary Master Drummer Sekou Camara "Le Cobra du Mandingue" of Les Ballet Djoliba de Guinee. Her lifelong devotion to dance began in traditional ceremonies at age 7. Italo Jambo, director of the national ensemble Le Ballets Africains du Guinee, then recruited her as the troupe's premier dancer.
Mama Yaa
Mama Yaa is the Artistic Director of the Pyramyd Dance Company. She teaches dance for the Newark Public Schools. She works with many arts agencies, including Arts for Kids and Arts Horizon, to teach and perform throughout the New York Metropolitan area. She has a B.A. in dance from Montclair State University, holds a teacher's certificate from Saint Peter's University, and has done post graduate work at Wesleyan University, Middletown Ct. She studied dance and culture at The University of Ghana in West Africa during her junior year. Mama Yaa continues to collaborate with various dance and drum organizations in the furtherance of African Culture.
Sis. Zul Latifatu Zahiratu
Life long resident of Newark, NJ is the Founder and Artistic Director of Spektrums Afrikans. Spektrum Afrikans is a Traditional Afrikan Folkloric Dance & Drum Historical Performing Arts Company based in Newark, NJ for the past 35 years. The major goal of the company is to perpetuate the rich culture of Afrika through song, dance, history and visual arts. The company is open to all ages, groups, and races. Sis. Zul's greatest joy is seeing her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren performing with her and her dedicated students that support her and the cause: "Dance is your medicine, let history be your conscience, and the drum be your guide."
La Mora
Originally from Santiago de Cuba, Danys Perez "La Mora" is yet another great artist from the marvelous world of Afro-Cuban folklore. La Mora is one of the best interpreters of the forms of Afro-Cuban dance that are derived from the Yoruba, Congo, Carabali, Arara, and Dahomeyan cultures of West Africa. As a dance performer, teacher, dance ethnologist, and choreographer, La Mora has focused on the unique styles of her native region of "Oriente Province" in Eastern Cuba. Oriente offers a particularly rich cultural heritage due to the introduction of Afro-Haitian influences to an already vibrant Afro-Cuban context. She excels in the interpretation of dances from this heritage including: Gaga, Vodu, Tajona, Haitian Bembe, Tumba Francesa, Carabali, as well as the popular dances Rumba, Comparsa (Conga), Chancletas (Cutaras), Haitian Merengue and Son Montuno, Son Urbano, and Casino.
In 2006 Love created Wofabe African Dance and Drum Festival. Wofabe is New Jersey's only African dance and drum festival. The festival consists of African dance and drum classes, panel discussions, free children classes, and an evening dance concert. The festival has been presented at Newark Arts High School, Science Park High School, Central High School and the Historic Newark Symphony Hall. Born in Montclair, Love earned her MFA from New York University Tisch School of the Arts and her B.F.A. from Montclair State University. Love is the Founder and Artistic Director of Umoja Dance Company which began in 1993 and Usaama Dance Company 1995. She is the director of the Dance Department at Hillside High School, director of the After School Dance Program for the Hillside Public Schools District and an adjunct professor at Montclair State University. She is a former faculty member in the Junior Division at The Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. Love is a certified Pilates Mat Instructor and a certified Yoga instructor. In 2012, Love opened the Umoja Dance Studio in Vaux Hall, NJ. The studio offers dance, drum, capoeira, and fitness classes for ages three to adult.
Awards include: Montclair State University Excellence in Choreography Award and the Outstanding Senior Award, The New Jersey State Council on the Arts Fellowship Grant, Harkness Choreographers Space Grant at SUNY Purchase, Who's Who Among American Teachers 2004 and 2005, and was honored as one of the "50 Women You Should Know in Montclair, NJ" and as a "Women of Distinction" by The YWCA of Essex and West Hudson.
Jeffrey Page
Emmy Award nominated choreographer, Jeffrey Page, offers an energetic fusion of traditional African Dance, hip-hop, funk and soul. Page's intricate movements have been featured on Fox's So You Think You Can Dance, Beyonce's Tour - The Beyonce Experience, MTV's Video Music Awards, the BET Awards, and the World Music Awards to name a few. A talented dancer in his own right, Jeffrey Page is also a trained actor, director, and musician. To each job, Page brings a wealth of dance, theatre, and film knowledge.
Damon Foster
Damon's love of African dance began in 1984 at the young age of 10 at Bernice Johnson's renowned Cultural Arts Center, where he took classes with his mother and sister. By the time he was 15 years old, Foster's focus, dedication and raw talent caught the eye of Carolyn DeVore, who offered him a coveted dance instructor's position at the esteemed DeVore Dance Center in Hollis, NY, where he's trained upwards of 10,000+ children and adults over a 22-year time period.
Sandella Malloy
Sandella Malloy is a dancer, choreographer and instructor residing in New York City. She is also the Co-Founder and Artistic Director of Harambee Dance Company. For over fifteen years, she has created new and innovative works that fuse African dance with other world forms. She seeks to present the strong social and cultural values of Africa in a modern artistic context.
Babacar M'Baye
Born in a griot family of Wolof people, Babacar M'Baye's professional career began on tour with the Second Ballet of Senegal. Mr. M'Baye is admired in his homeland as one of Dakar's most exciting and formidable dancers. He upholds the tradition of Sabar dance by drawing power from the traditions of his people, while contributing his innovative spirit and style toward its continuation. Mr. M'Baye has toured the United States with Ballet Sinomiye of Senegal and the Ballet Bougarabou Du Senegal. He has become one of New York City's talented instructors of Sabar dance and is the renowned choreographer for the celebrated group Sing Sing Rhythms. Mr. M'Baye has traveled the US and abroad teaching at workshops in Atlanta, California, Washington D.C., Puerto Rico and Japan.
Mouminatou Camara
Mouminatou Camara founded Seewe African Dance Company in September 2005. Mouminatou is praised as the pre-eminent female instructor of Guinea dance in the United States. For a decade, she was the principal dancer for the world-renowned dance company, Les Ballet Africans - the national ballet for Guinea. She also performed with Les Ballet Djoliba and the Army Ballet. A brilliant instructor and performer of West African Dance and Drum, Mouminatou Camara has performed and taught workshops extensively in the USA, Spain, France, Belgium, Germany, Martinique and the West African countries of Senegal, Mali and the Ivory Coast.
Nimatoulaye Camara
Nimatoulaye Camara was born in Guinea, West Africa to a family of Griots. Griots or "Djeli" are highly revered traditional praise singers and keepers of the oral history. Her father was the internationally reknown legendary Master Drummer Sekou Camara "Le Cobra du Mandingue" of Les Ballet Djoliba de Guinee. Her lifelong devotion to dance began in traditional ceremonies at age 7. Italo Jambo, director of the national ensemble Le Ballets Africains du Guinee, then recruited her as the troupe's premier dancer.
Mama Yaa
Mama Yaa is the Artistic Director of the Pyramyd Dance Company. She teaches dance for the Newark Public Schools. She works with many arts agencies, including Arts for Kids and Arts Horizon, to teach and perform throughout the New York Metropolitan area. She has a B.A. in dance from Montclair State University, holds a teacher's certificate from Saint Peter's University, and has done post graduate work at Wesleyan University, Middletown Ct. She studied dance and culture at The University of Ghana in West Africa during her junior year. Mama Yaa continues to collaborate with various dance and drum organizations in the furtherance of African Culture.
Sis. Zul Latifatu Zahiratu
Life long resident of Newark, NJ is the Founder and Artistic Director of Spektrums Afrikans. Spektrum Afrikans is a Traditional Afrikan Folkloric Dance & Drum Historical Performing Arts Company based in Newark, NJ for the past 35 years. The major goal of the company is to perpetuate the rich culture of Afrika through song, dance, history and visual arts. The company is open to all ages, groups, and races. Sis. Zul's greatest joy is seeing her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren performing with her and her dedicated students that support her and the cause: "Dance is your medicine, let history be your conscience, and the drum be your guide."
La Mora
Originally from Santiago de Cuba, Danys Perez "La Mora" is yet another great artist from the marvelous world of Afro-Cuban folklore. La Mora is one of the best interpreters of the forms of Afro-Cuban dance that are derived from the Yoruba, Congo, Carabali, Arara, and Dahomeyan cultures of West Africa. As a dance performer, teacher, dance ethnologist, and choreographer, La Mora has focused on the unique styles of her native region of "Oriente Province" in Eastern Cuba. Oriente offers a particularly rich cultural heritage due to the introduction of Afro-Haitian influences to an already vibrant Afro-Cuban context. She excels in the interpretation of dances from this heritage including: Gaga, Vodu, Tajona, Haitian Bembe, Tumba Francesa, Carabali, as well as the popular dances Rumba, Comparsa (Conga), Chancletas (Cutaras), Haitian Merengue and Son Montuno, Son Urbano, and Casino.
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