ABOVE PHOTO: Kùlú Mèlé Dance Ensemble’s “Oshun”
Featuring Danys “LaMora” Perez and Oyu Oro Afro-Cuban Experimental Dance Ensemble
The legacy of Afro-Cuban dance will be celebrated when Kùlú Mèlé, Philadelphia’s premiere African dance ensemble, presents “Danzas de Cuba” at its 45th Anniversary Concert Gala, Nov. 29-30 at the Painted Bride Art Center, 230 Vine Street.
Sponsored by PNC Arts Alive, the concert will feature the widely-acclaimed Oyu Oro Afro-Cuban Experimental Dance Ensemble. The Nov. 29 performance begins at 7PM and the Nov. 30 performance begins at 4PM. A VIP Champagne Meet-the-Artists reception will follow immediately after the Nov. 29 performance.
Those attending the concert will be the first to witness new choreography by Oyu Oro Artistic Director Danys “LaMora” Perez and Philadelphia-based Cuban choreographer Mora Amador and Dorothy Wilkie, artistic director/choreographer of Kùlú Mèlé.
“Following in the tradition of Kùlú Mèlé, Oyu Oro is committed to the preservation of Afro-Cuban folklore as well as promoting cross-cultural understanding of the dance forms and music derived from African culture throughout the African Diaspora,” explained Wilkie. Danzas de Cuba is dedicated to Afro-Cuban dance and will showcase this dynamic art form at its best.”
Oyu Oro’s traditional repertoire pays tribute to African spiritual traditions derived from the Yoruba, Congo, Carabali, Arará and Dahomean cultures of West Africa and Haiti, in addition to popular dance forms that celebrate Cuban heritage.
Oyu Oro was founded by “LaMora” Perez, an internationally-renowned master of Afro-Cuban folkloric dance from Santiago, Cuba. Perez’s expertise as dancer, choreographer, teacher and dance ethnologist in the unique style of her native region of the Oriente Province in eastern Cuba has brought her and the ensemble worldwide acclaim.
Don’t miss the opportunity to experience the electrifying performance of Oyu Oro with Kùlú Mèlé. General admission is $20 in advance/$25 the day of show. Children 12 and under, $12 in advance/$15 the day of show. The VIP reception is $35 in advance. Tickets can be purchased at the Painted Bride. For more information call (215) 844-3409.
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