New York African Chorus EnsemblePresents

conceived and directed by

JOYCE ADEWUMI

Saturday, December 22, 2012

3:00pm

I.S. 210, 21st Century Academy for Community Leadership 501-503 West 152nd Street and Amsterdam Ave.New York, NY 10031

This program is supported in part by individual donations, Council Member RobertJackson, 7th Council District, Speaker Christine Quinn, the New York City Departmentof Cultural Affairs, Wadada Arts Foundation and the New York City Council. Arik Airis the official airline.

THE GATHERING VI: Conversation with an African WomanA concert of Live African Music, Dance and Art

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We are proud to partner with the New

York African Chorus Ensemble

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diverse cultures.

Ladies and Gentlemen welcome to our 2012 annual concert “The Gathering VI: Conversation with an African Woman.”

I have often been asked if ancient African beliefs and practices are still relevant in today’sworld. My research for this project put me in touch with so many wonderful sages whohave further opened my eyes to the wisdom of the Yoruba people, and I am proud to sharesome of knowledge I’ve acquired with you all today. This project, therefore, provides anopportunity to take a closer look at some ancient Yoruba cultural beliefs and practices sothat you, our audience, can conclude for yourselves if these cultural practices are indeedarchaic.

We have tried to recreate the traditional African entertainment experience by combiningmusic, dance, art, dialogue and food in a modern Western setting. This collaboration hasgiven us the opportunity to not only remain true to the African sense of community butalso help other artists to build new audiences. In Africa we believe that one’s needs arejust as important as other people’s.

We are indeed proud to work with Uzoma Catering services which have provided the opportunity for our audience to “taste Nigeria” through the nutritious and delicious samples of the Nigerian cuisines he has provided. The artists JaSon Auguste, Aramide Ferguson, Jonathan Wosu, and Joseph Frantz Sylvester have provided visualrepresentations of Africa. This year, I have been blessed to work with immensely talentedsingers and dancers without whom this production would have been possible.

We are humbled by the blessings of victory over all the obstacles we have encountered,and grateful for the love that continues to us keep us together in NYACE. We love whatwe do and we are grateful that you all have come tonight to ensure that we do not performto an empty hall. With your continued support we look forward to bringing greater “Edutainment” to our community.

As a small arts organization that depends on grants, individual, and corporate donationsto survive, this present economy has tested our dedication to our work, and community.We are immensely grateful to Council member Robert Jackson for the grant which wasallocated by the New York City Council for this production. The Department of CulturalAffairs is the wind under our wings and we appreciate all the individual donations andsupport from Arik Air and all the volunteers who have helped us in one way of the other.

If you, our audience, enjoyed our presentation please consider making a tax deductabledonation so that we may continue to produce more entertaining and informative programsfor you. Please make all checks payable to the New York African Chorus Ensemble.

Thank you all for coming out tonight to support us. Please enjoy the show.

This program is supported, in part by individual donations, Council Member Robert Jackson, 7th Council District, Speaker Christine Quinn, the New York City Department ofCultural Affairs and the New York City Council, Arik Air is the official airline of this production.

Joyce AdewumiFounder& Presidentjoyce@nyafricanensemble.com212-862-4858

WELCOME

CONCERT PROGRAM

Part I 3:00pm – 3:45pm:Art exhibition & Reception

Part II 4:00pm:Concert

OPENING PROCESSION - Music Oriki Osun by- Asabioje Afenapa

ISE OLUWA KOLE BAJE O - Traditional Yoruba(Lead singers, Aramide Ferguson, Kirstie Garcia, Diamond Skinner, Sabrina Francis, andJoyce Adewumi)Translation: God’s work cannot be destroyed. What we build together, with love in ourhearts can never be destroyed

DANCE TRIBUTE TO OSUN – Ajodun Irunmole(Dancers: Aramide Ferguson, Kirstie Garcia, Eliot Gonzales, Diamond Skinner, SamanthaVasquez)

JOWO BA MI SE –Traditional Yoruba(Lead singer- Aramide Ferguson)Translation: : Please do it for me Yeye (Mother) Osun, I have done what I am supposed todo, I have given what I am supposed to give. Please do it for me Yeye (Mother) Osun.

IDE WERE WERE – Traditional YorubaTranslation: The small bangles of Osun; the bangles of the great mother Osun jingles“shekere, shekere, shekere” as she walks. Mother Osun, the Orisa that gives comfort.

IYA – by Ayo Bankole(Soloist- Sabrina Francis) Translation: My mother was my favorite person when I was a child. When I slept she wasthe one who watched over me. When I woke up, she was the one who carried me. WhenI was hungry, she was the one that feed me. No one loves me like my mother. No one canprovide for me as well as mother those. May God bless you, Mother.

IRE - by Joyce AdewumiTranslation: Blessings come to me for the front, back, right and left side

LITHISKHIYA – Zulu:Translation: Give me the keys to my blessings. Let the doors of my blessings be openednow. I am going to dance in celebration of my good fortune.

THE FEATURED ARTISTSJaSon Auguste (United States)JaSon, born of the African Diaspora is a {self taught artist}, who uses multiple mediums and forms in his visual arts. From hand drawings to digital processes tothe use of various objects with symbolic and spiritual nature.... wadadaarts.com

Aramide Ferguson (Nigeria)Ararmide Ferguson, born in Nigeria to a Nigerian mother and Scottish father, actress,dancer and artist. With blessings and love Aramide unveils one of her astoundingworks of art for the first time to the general public today.

Joseph Frantz Sylvester (Haiti)A self taught painter, Joseph gets his inspirations from his childhood memories ofHaiti and his mother’s stories about Mermaids who would come ashore from time totime.

Jonathan Wosu (Nigeria) Event Photographer facilitating communication (stock images, travel promoting cards, custom publishing). Phone: 732-668-8083 akwaabanjw@yahoo.com

THE PERFORMERS

JOYCE ADEWUMI: Singer, dancer, choreographer, scholar, founder and presidentof New York African Chorus Ensemble Inc, founder of Celebrate Diversity CelebrateYou Festival and CNN Panelist for ‘Embracing Your African Roots.’ Ms. Adewumihas a ten year cumulative experience as a lecturer of music and dance at the ObafemiAwolowo University, Ile Ife; University of Nigeria, Nsukka; and the University ofUyo, Akwa Ibom, respectively. She has given numerous vocal recitals, premiered several African operas, and choreographed numerous African contemporarydances in Nigeria, United Kingdom, United States and Canada. She is one of theleading African art music interpreters, and perhaps the only singer that has had theprivilege to have been coached by most of the principal African art musiccomposers/scholars such as Joshua Uzoigwe, Meki Nzewi, Akin Euba, SamuelAkpabot, and J. H. Kwabena Nketia. Her greatest achievement thus far is the NewYork African Chorus Ensemble Inc, which affords her the opportunity to combine herlove for music, dance, drama, teaching, and community service.

NOLENE ELIZABETH DAVIDSON (singer): A native of Trinidad and Tobago,Nolene started music at a tender age at her family’s music school; the Davidson-Arnold School of Music, where she studied classical piano (practical andtheory), voice, elocution and drama. She was very successful in the Trinity Collegeof Music and Royal School of Music examinations, London, England under the distinguished patronage of Queen Elizabeth II. She studied voice with Julliard’s graduate Lorna Mayers, and taught music at the Bennet School of Music, Brooklyn.

ELIOT E. GONZALEZ (singer, dancer): I am an 18 year old man who is currentlystudying Business Management at Bronx Community College. I am a dancer and abeginner gymnast. I aspire to work for a well known organization such as the UnitedNations and take my dancing to great heights as well as my gymnastics.

ARAMIDE FERGUSON (singer, dancer) was born to a Nigerian mother and Scottish father. She is a dancer, writer, and actress who has performed in London,Nigeria, and the United States.

SABRINA A. FRANCIS (singer): A Mezzo Soprano of great power and warm timber. She has performed in professional Opera Chorus with NYCOpera, Los AngelesOpera, has sung Flora (La Traviata), Katisha (Mikado), Lily & Maria (Porgy & Bess)with Regional Opera companies. Also teaches Preschool Music & Music Together herein Manhattan.

KIRSTIE GARCIA (singer, dancer): A young 23 year old woman, who has beenable to prove herself and others wrong with her talent. She thrives in experiencingnew things in life. This young woman won't fully enjoy her goals unless there is a challenge.

JULIO LOPEZ (drummer): A seasoned drummer who has been playing for over 25years. Specializing in Salsa, Jazz, Merenge, Bolero and other genre of music, Juliocurrently plays with Touch of Ambiance group and the New York African Chorus Ensemble.

MAIMUNA (singer) is happy to take part in this production.

CHIE MONOE (Pianist): Born in Japan, this extraordinary musician started study-ing piano from the age of five. She studied various forms of music including JapaneseTraditional, Classical, World Music and Jazz, at Tokyo College of Music. Since shemoved to New York City she has been expanding her musical knowledge further andperforming as a solo artist at various venues. Chie is also a Reiki Master/Teacher. Sheemploys music in her healing sessions to help people relax and attain mind-body har-mony. Currently Chie serves as the pianist and associate music director for New YorkAfrican Chorus Ensemble, and the keyboard player for "BODOMA Garifuna-JapaneseReggae band.

YEMISI NICOLLS (singer) is happy to take part in this production.

SIRLOUIS JONES (singer): is a native of New York (Brooklyn). He is a stage man-ager, actor, dancer, and singer. Presently SirLouis is the stage manager for the JazzyRandolph Dancers. He has worked with such companies as the H.A.D.L.E.Y. Players,New Federal Theater, National Black Theater, The Cherry Lane Theater and theCastillo Theater, to name a few. SirLouis has worked with Woodie King Jr, Ms.Gertrude Jeanette, Lillie M. Redwood, Kirk Kersey, Clinton Turner Davis and manyothers. SirLouis is very happy to be a part of the New York African Chorus EnsembleInc.

DAVID PEREZ (singer): David is a young creative mind whose true passion residesin music. A talented individual who enjoys expressing his ideas whichever way he can,David’s main focus is to experiment with new unique genres of music.

“DR.” AMUN PRUBIA (singer) is a Colon Therapist, nutritionist, chef, counselor,teacher of African dance and yoga, and clothing designer. She has performed at theTown Hall with Reggie Down and Babalon and also took part in the late James Stovall’s “Nativity”.

DIAMOND SKINNER (singer, dancer): Originally from Phoenix, Arizona but migrated to St. Louis, MO to attend Washington University. There she received herBA in African & African American Studies, Theatre and Swahili while performing atschool and with the St. Louis Black Rep. She is now pursuing a MA degree at NYUand is grateful for the opportunity to perform with NYACE.

SAMANTHA IRIS VASQUEZ (singer, dancer): I have been dancing ever since Ican remember, classically trained in ballet, modern, hip hop, African, Latin dances(i.e. salsa, merengue), and am able to learn any style quickly. Currently attendingBronx Community College, majoring in Performing Arts. I aspire to be a dance teacherand bring dance back into schools.

NI’JA WHITSON (singer, dancer) is an interdisciplinary touring artist and independent choreographer. She has presented work internationally, and has collaborated with world renowned artists including Dianne McIntyre, Sharon Bridgforth, Douglas Ewart, and Darrell Jones. Ni’Ja Whitson has received awards,residencies, and recognition across artistic genres, publishes in print and online journals, and is recognized as a contemporary innovator of the Theatrical Jazz Aesthetic.

ANTHONY F. WOODEN, SR (singer) is the founder of Bokandeye African-American Dance Theater. The company, comprising talented children, teenand adults, is based at the YWCA of Yonkers and at the Kennedy Center in Harlem.The word “Bokandeye” comes from the Wolof language, spoken throughout theSenegambia region of West Africa. When roughly translated into the English language, Bokandeye means “family”, “from the same mother”, “united.” Althoughthe members of Bokandeye are from different ethnic and cultural backgrounds,Bokandeye African-American Dance Theatre truly believes they are one “family”united by the same mother (Mother Africa).

PRINCE AJIWOLE ( Trumpeter) An original band member of the late Nigerianmusician Fela.

CHARLES URIEL ( Shekere) Seasoned musician, dancer and music teacher whohad paid his dues, Bro. Uriel is glad to lend his talents for the success of this production.

BOOKING/ MEMBERSHIP/DONATIONS

For booking information, to perform with NYACE, or to register your children for our weekend work-shops in music, dance, and drumming please call: 212-862-4858 or email us at:info@nyafricanensemble.com.

www.nyafricanensemble.com New York African Chorus Ensemble Inc. is a501(c) 3 organization. All donations are taxdeductible to the full extent of the law.

You can make donations to support our programs Please make all checks payable to :

New York African Chorus Ensemble Inc.and mail to:New York African Chorus Ensemble Inc.Hamilton Grange Post Office P.O. Box 195New York, NY 10031

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