Rhythm and dance brewed in African Pot

by chesimet

Tonight the stage took an African transformation as Habiba, with her duet drummist mystified the crowd with some beats that left us asking for more.

Sitting at the front row, my heart got an escape into the African continent as the drums awaken the Kenyan out of me. I was moved and transfixed in the moments that lasted longer than I could keep track of.

Libery Theatre hosted this night a taste of West Africa culture, staged in drums, story-telling, dance, music, words of wisdom, gestures of bridging the gaps and unique body movements that left us breathless,clapping, cheering, laughing, fulfilled, affirmed and truly transformed.

Our presenter, Habiba, is truly cultural professional from Portland who delights and educates her audiences. Her opening scenes got the audience attention and from then on she had us all in her world and only she could let us go when she was done-to me it was worth being kept in this world that rarely comes to me and my family.

A native of Ghana, she and her percussionists exhibited the joy, richness and relevance of the west African cultures of Senegal, Guinea and Ghana through dance, music and storytelling. The young students from the surrounding schools were truly treated to deeper mine of African culture show. Most seemed to have gained an appreciation of the impact of African culture on other continents through Afro-Cuban or Afro-Brazilian songs and dances.

Habiba Call-and –response, stories, and authentic costumes and jewelry brought the cultures to life. The origin, technique, and purpose of various drums were demonstrated, and the relationship between drummer and dancer were expressed through the powerful rhythms and graceful movements of traditional music and dance.

To infuse the culture was best exemplified as the young students from local schools took stage and put to display their moves and rhythm they had learned in three hours. Yes three hours the audience was truly at awe as the little chaps gyrated and moved to drums that made all come into some African crescendo.

Lessons on drums types were freely given from popular Djembe to one that has A-G beats like any piano! All came into play this night.

The end was a nightmare for Liberty Theatre staff when the audience were invited to take the stage and engage their bodies in final phase of drumming. This was the epic of the night and the unreserved showed all kind of moves.

At the end of the show, I was reminded of how love can still be brewed in African pot. Those who drunk it remain delighted and appreciative of the African Joy Celebration show.

My heart still throbs!!!

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