Manga African Dance is back again this year, for some exciting and wonderful experiences throughout the month of February for the celebration of the Black History Month. We once again, would like to express our gratitude to the Georgia Council for the Arts, to the Fulton County Arts and Culture and the board of commissioners, the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta, the Atlanta Mayor's Office, South Arts, the Creative Guild Arts and the Jonas Artist Program, and the Little Five Points Community Center for their continued support towards our programming.
In partnership with J.H.Russell West End Academy
"This program is supported in part by Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. Georgia Council for the Arts also receives support from its partner agency
- the National Endowment for the Arts."
Exploring West African Dance and drum is a program which objective is to present to the students of H.J. Russell West End Academy some of the heritages of a country from West Africa. The students will get the opportunity to learn the rich educational history, the dance and the drumming of the selected country. This program will run from March 7 to 15, 2023. This will be the 3rd consecutive collaboration with the H.J Russell West End Academy. Manga African Dance is very pleased with this opportunity, and appreciated for the positive reception of this programming by the new principal Ms. Green who had spare us some time from her busy schedule to meet with us to plan it. As usual, we met with a wonderful team of teachers and staff at the school very eager to see the program being implemented.
(From left to right) Dr. Ramatu Sabbatt with her assistant Andree Janis in work meeting with Principal Green and teacher Jacques Combs at the H.J. Russell West End Academy.
In collaboration with the Creative Arts Guild and the Jonas Artist Program: In-person program
Manga African Dance provided a total of 11 performances to schools in the Dalton GA. Held earlier this year in January 2023, the residency still fall under the scope of celebrating BHM. It was again an opportunity to perform and interact with students and teachers this time in-person with our signature program Rhythm in Motion (RIM): The pulsating sounds of Sunu (ceremonial music played by the Malinke people of Guinea and Mali during traditional festivals) transport students to the villages of West Africa, where popular American dances such as the Charleston and popular hip hop moves were born.
"We absolutely loved your being here! Thank you for sharing the gift of cultural awareness with us!
Jonathan E. Willard, Ed.D. Principal, Crossroads Academy
On-site: Agape Youth and Family Center
Dance sequence
Dance sequence
Audience participation
On-site: Boys and Girls Club
More resources to learn more about Black History Month
Acknowledgement
We would like to acknowledge our supports.
Georgia Council for the Arts: "This program is supported in part by Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of theGeorgia General Assembly. Georgia Council for the Arts also receives support from its partner agency
- the National Endowment for the Arts."
Futlon County for the Arts and the Fulton County Bord of Commissioners: Funding for this program is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioner.
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta: Funding provided (or funded in part) by a grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.
City of Atlanta, Mayor's Office of Cultural Affaires: "This program is supported in part by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs"