Iwa L'ewa Heritage Dance Ensemble (& Drums)

 

Celebrate African American History Month at Shakti with an evening of deep and funky traditional rhythms and dance led by Yewande Kelley-Johnson & friends

When: Friday, February 28, 7:45-9pm Cost: $20 in advance, $25 day of workshop Register: call 973-763-2288 or pay online  Questions: contact Yewande or visit www.iwalewadance.com or www.africanglobalarts.com

We open with a short dance class, breaking down the movements, and rituals of a traditional West African dance class.

We'll share an exciting short performance with the instruments, clothing and culture.

We'll close with everyone who wishes coming into the Bantaba (The Dancing Ground) and sharing what they've learned and loved of Africa.

This workshop/program is great for all!

Find the beauty in the world and the beauty that lies within you.

Yewande Kelley-Johnson created her own dance curriculum as a child because, her family was too busy to help her take dance lessons.  As an adult Yewande did not pursue a career in dance, but gave so much, energy and focus to classes, auditions and rehearsals that the Universe opened the door and made an opportunity she couldn't turn down.

She is a five time recipient of the NJ State Council of the Arts Folk Arts grant, which designates her as a master teacher. Yewande is a recipient of the Artist as Catalyst grant from the Mid Atlantic Arts Council, where she designed a dance theater project that involved the local New Jersey community. Her last Folk Arts grant let her study the Afro-Cuban legacy of Orisa song and dance with the great akpon (singer in Orisa ceremonies) Amma Mcken. Ms. McKen received an NEH fellowship in 2009 and is now designated as a heritage treasure. The Wofabe Council of New Jersey designated Yewande as an African Dance Elder in 2013.

Dance is Yewande's nourishment, joy and a space where she inspires the child and the adult to believe that they can create a story we all want to see. She'll be dancing at her 100th birthday so if you are around reach out, and she'll send you an invite some decades from now.