Muscles tense with anticipation, the dancer lies coiled on the stage as the low rumble grows louder and louder. Then with an explosive crack, she explodes into the air as the energy is liberated. Dancers twist, run, and leap to the propulsive sounds of Afro-Carribean drums and uplifting songs of the African diaspora. Fussion is an exhilarating collaborative performance from the artists behind Super Happy Fun Time Burlesque, The Carribean Arts Festival, and Festival of the Arts favorite, Wazobia. This magical mix of traditional and modern song and dance will be presented Friday, September 18th at 7pm in the landmark Royce Auditorium at Saint Cecilias Music Society.
Erick Pichardos vibrant paintings are exhibited in every gallery, church, and community center throughout Grand Rapids. His explosive hand percussion is heard on the bustling streets of our downtown. His multi-lingual poetry and performances that range from ancient tribal to modern lyrical are experienced in our theaters. Erick has arrived in Grand Rapids from the Caribbean Islands to bring new energy and a vision of collective hope for the healing powers of creativity that our whole community can share and celebrate together.
Rachel Finan has been performing, directing and producing work for over 20 years. She studied theatre at New York University and Japanese butoh dance with various master teachers including Diego Pinon, Katsura Kan, and Shinichi Moma Koga. Locally she is a co-founder of several production companies including Super Happy Funtime Burlesque (SHFTB), Michigans only independently produced traveling burlesque company. She is also behind the X Performance Group, 24 Hour Theatre and has her hands in just about every small theatre in town. Rachel has appeared nationally at the New York Butoh Festival and Body Breaks doing solo butoh and the Boston Burlesque Expo doing circus/burlesque. She is an avid yoga practitioner and teacher, she is also an aerialist, contortionist and makeup artist. Rachel is grateful for the opportunity to support local independent theater.
As one of the founding members of The Crown Troupe of Africa, Sunny Eselekhomen traveled the world performing for heads of state and rulers of many countries. After meeting his beautiful wife Stacie, Sunny moved to Grand Rapids to have a family. He continues to perform his unique blend of West African art that he calls Wazobia in every major venue in West Michigan to infuse the message of unity, peace, and togetherness through drumming, singing, and dancing.
Over the past ten years, Joshua Dunigan has used his love of world music to teach and perform Afro-Cuban and Latin percussion with adult classes, public school students, and everyone else on the streets of Grand Rapids. As the percussionist for Latin-Rock band Cabildo (now Villalobos), Josh places traditional Cuban, Brazilian, and Andean rhythms in a contemporary setting for live shows in Grand Rapids. With the group Wazobia, Josh celebrates the music of the African Diaspora with a fun, interactive show that will get you on your feet.
Dancers:
Amy Wilson
Diana Tourongeau
Marco Riolo
Andrea S. Nightingale
Marci Stembol
Audria Larsen
Kim Straub
Lewis Richards
Katherine Marty
Isabel Garcia
Rachael Inger
Percussionists:
Dustin Meyer
Don Brooks
Emily Byxbe
Nancy Rogers
Liz Dupont
Singers:
Ted Jauw
Amanda Narvaes
Costumes: Suzanne Bladey
Join our Facebook Group to find out where we'll be next
For further information contact Josh Dunigan at dizzyjd[at]gmail.com or 616.334.6549
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KATSURA Kan TIME MACHINE Prologueby kanbutoh7,510 views
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