The Program of Movement and Dance at the University of Rochester is sponsoring Bush Mango Drum and Dance’s “Waking Nimba: A West African Ballet” at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 4, in the dance studio in Spurrier Hall, on the River Campus.
“Waking Nimba” is a story of a West African fertility goddess, two young lovers, a mercurial trickster, and a community finding order among chaos. The show involves polyrhythmic music, dancing, and colorful costumes.
The musical director is Blair Hornbuckle, whose interest in West-African music stems from the music’s elements incorporating precision and chaos. Hornbuckle’s career highlights include opening for The Wailers, a popular reggae band, and playing at Woodstock ’99.
The artistic director is Colleen Hendrick, whose epic work, “Days Swinging Home,” received the Lillian Fairchild Award, administered by the University’s English department, for artistic excellence. Hendrick has also performed for four seasons with The Merce Cunningham Theater in Manhattan and took part in a shared performance with Urban Bush Women as part of the E.E. Cummings International Centennial Celebration.
Together, Hornbuckle and Hendrick lead the Bush Mango Drum and Dance Youth Project as well as teach weekly drum and dance lessons.
Tickets are $5 for University of Rochester students and $8 for the general public. Tickets are available in advance at the Common Market in Wilson Commons located on the River Campus and at the door.
For more information, contact (585) 273-5150.