Sankofa tops off dance season

By Alfred Cotton
STAFF WRITER

By: Mariya Gorbanova PHOTO EDITOR The Sankofa African Dance and Drum Ensemble preformed 'An Afro Pop Celecbration' last weekend in Hartwell Dance Theater. The Afro Pop theme was influenced by rock 'n' roll, soul and reggae music.

Artistic Director Clyde Alafiju Morgan based this year’s Sankofa concert around the theme of “Afro Pop” which he describes in the program notes as “that dynamic version of modern African expression in music and dance to be found throughout the African continent and the world … It is something new that impresses the youth yet includes the teachings of the older generation.”

The concert began with Mohamed DaCosta walking among the audience as dancers entered the stage from both sides.  In “Opoungou Andima,” they were accompanied by the Sankofa drum corps when on stage.  The sequence was lively in both the musical and dance aspects.

The next number, “After the Rain Came” was a piece choreographed by Kelly Kavanaugh. Kavanaugh usually delivers quality material and this one was no exception.  The program notes listed a poem by a fourth grader describing the necessity of sunlight for life in its simplest form, and this piece by Kavanaugh did exactly the same.  From the music to the costumes, the piece expressed this aspect of life in a poetic manner that the dance alone could not do.  This is not to take anything away from the choreography or the performers, which were both exquisite in their movements of receptivity and pure happiness.

Later came the highlight of the evening, choreographer Molly Elizabeth Christie’s “Aché.”  This piece lent itself aspects of the Cuban Santería tradition, which is a religion that, as per program notes, “central to its belief system is the concept that through sacred batá drumming, song and dance, orichas (deities) in the religion can be called down to earth, adopting a physical form so they may directly communicate and assist.”  This was directly portrayed through Christie’s own movements and the music’s calling out for the Orisha, Eleggua, the protector of travelers.

“Zaouli-Kou Kou Revisited” was a drummers’ showcase.  The drummers of the Sankofa Ensemble were led by Khalid Abdul N’Faly Saleem in a highly up-tempo and energetic rendition of traditional music.  Its energy grew from solos by the drummers and audience participation through call and response.  This was a great transition into the next piece and kept the energy and attention of the audience.

“Kelio” was a piece choreographed by Morgan himself.  It was the most fun of the entire program.  The dancers moved around in black costumes with bright neon colored accents, expressing joy and excitement.  The dancers themselves brought the energy levels of the crowd up and helped create the atmosphere for the next performances.

The finale of the concert was “Ijexa,” another piece by Morgan.  This piece featured almost the entire Sankofa Ensemble in a variety of movements, some synchronized and some not, but all of them were interesting. It was a fitting finale to an already great performance.

The Sankofa concert was the shining moment in an otherwise dull spring dance season at SUNY Brockport.