It's not every day that central New Yorkers are able to experience the sounds and sights of multiple cultures in one place. But this weekend, they will be able to do just that.
The Syracuse-based Wassa Afrika Dance Ensemble will perform Friday at Wells College in Aurora. The dance organization has been performing a blend of traditional and contemporary African dance for children and adults since 1998.
The group was started by Nana Kwasi Anim, a dancer, musician and instructor from Accra, Ghana, in West Africa. Since founding the company, he has traveled throughout West Africa to learn about the different dances and cultures of the region.
“All of the different countries (in West Africa) have many different dances,” Anim said. “And all of the countries have meanings in their dances.”
The dance ensemble reflects the region's cultural diversity, Anim continued. Even within his own company, each of the dancers represent a different Ghana tribe.
“Getting them to come together, bringing them together and uniting them to do something can be a big challenge,” Anim said.
Along with performing, Anim is an instructor of traditional, ballet and other dance styles in Ghana and the United States. He is also a master player of the bamboo flute, which he often incorporates into his dances.
“The music, the drumming, it is all attached to the dance,” Anim said. “Music is a big part of what we are doing.”
But while the Wassa Afrika Dance Ensemble seeks to provide a culturally rich type of entertainment, the group has deeper intentions, Anim said. His ultimate goal is to promote unity and give a message that all people are the same.
Dance and music, he said, are perfect ways to teach such a message. Anim has two long-term visions for the ensemble that both incorporate this message, he said. One is to establish centers in the United States and in Ghana and create a cultural exchange between the two.
The other is to choreograph using both African and western traditions. The first step toward uniting people is to unite the cultures, Anim said.
“When you bring all the cultures together,” he said, “that is where the unity starts.”
Christopher Caskey
253-5311 ext. 282
christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go.
What: Wassa Afrika Dance Ensemble
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14
Where: Phipps Auditorium, Macmillan Hall, Wells College, Aurora
Cost: $10 adults, $6 students, free for Wells students
Info: Call 364-3330
The group was started by Nana Kwasi Anim, a dancer, musician and instructor from Accra, Ghana, in West Africa. Since founding the company, he has traveled throughout West Africa to learn about the different dances and cultures of the region.
“All of the different countries (in West Africa) have many different dances,” Anim said. “And all of the countries have meanings in their dances.”
The dance ensemble reflects the region's cultural diversity, Anim continued. Even within his own company, each of the dancers represent a different Ghana tribe.
“Getting them to come together, bringing them together and uniting them to do something can be a big challenge,” Anim said.
Along with performing, Anim is an instructor of traditional, ballet and other dance styles in Ghana and the United States. He is also a master player of the bamboo flute, which he often incorporates into his dances.
“The music, the drumming, it is all attached to the dance,” Anim said. “Music is a big part of what we are doing.”
But while the Wassa Afrika Dance Ensemble seeks to provide a culturally rich type of entertainment, the group has deeper intentions, Anim said. His ultimate goal is to promote unity and give a message that all people are the same.
Dance and music, he said, are perfect ways to teach such a message. Anim has two long-term visions for the ensemble that both incorporate this message, he said. One is to establish centers in the United States and in Ghana and create a cultural exchange between the two.
The other is to choreograph using both African and western traditions. The first step toward uniting people is to unite the cultures, Anim said.
“When you bring all the cultures together,” he said, “that is where the unity starts.”
Christopher Caskey
253-5311 ext. 282
christopher.caskey@lee.net
If you go.
What: Wassa Afrika Dance Ensemble
When: 7:30 p.m. Friday, Nov. 14
Where: Phipps Auditorium, Macmillan Hall, Wells College, Aurora
Cost: $10 adults, $6 students, free for Wells students
Info: Call 364-3330
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