E-finitives (Efeya Sampson)

Happy 91st Birthday Ms.Ella Thompson Moore!

“The spirit of DanceAfrica has no boundaries, and will always find its way to the people.”—Baba Abdel R. Salaam This year, we celebrate #DanceAfrica with a series of digital offerings, paying special tribute to the incredible people who have shaped this festival over its rich 42-year history. Join us for online dance classes, streams of past performances, interviews with members of the Council of Elders, a virtual bazaar, and other programs that bring the joy of DanceAfrica into your home. Tap the link in our bio to learn more! #LoveFromBAM

#Repost @blackdancehistory Geoffrey Lamont Holder was a Trinidadian-American actor, voice actor, dancer, choreographer, singer, director and painter. A multifaceted performer and creator, he is best remembered by audiences for his performance as the villainous Baron Samedi in the 1973 Bond-movie Live and Let Die and as the pitchman for 7 Up. ▪︎▪︎▪︎ Video via: @knowyourcaribbean ——— T&T's Geoffrey Holder features in this Afro-Cuban dance sequence from the film “Carib Gold" (1956), filmed in Key West, Florida. Conga drummers are Arturo Henrique (left) and Emilio Rojas.

#Repost @blackdancehistory Kwa Simbo!! Kwa! African Diasporic Connections Excerpt of “Banda” with Carmen de Lavallade & Geoffrey Holder (1957) “Geoffrey Holder’s Banda dance debuted in the 1954 Truman Capote/Harold Arlen musical “House Of Flowers.” Holder played the Baron of The Cemetery (based on the Haitian Loa of Death Baron Samedi) and received both a performer and choreographer credit in the program. The Broadway musical takes place somewhere in the West Indies during Mardi Gras" Respect Your Roots Carve A Path Share the Map. #efinitives

Legendary African Diasporic Artists L-R Baba Emery, Nana Kimati Dinizulu, Nana Opare Dinizulu, Baba Chuck Davis and Baba John K.Blandford. #efinitives #respectyourroots #carveapath #sharethemap

Paula Kelly was one of the most dynamic Artists of her, or any generation. An unsung Dance dynamo. Peaceful journey to the Ancestral realm, Ms. Kelly.

Baba Scoby C.Stroman , Performing at a Fundraiser in 1993, hosted by my parent's for their children's Dance Company , Moving with the Spirit. From what I remember of him Baba Scoby was cool , personified . @efinitives Respect your Roots. Carve a Path, Share the Map.

Baba Chuck Davis and I. I had the honor of meeting Baba Chuck when I performed in Dance Africa for the 1st time , with my parent's company. Everytime after that, whenever I was graced with his huge presence, he had a warm hug , a positive word, and a Baba Chuckism for me. Legends never die. @efinitives Respect your roots. Carve a Path. Share the Map.

I am a product of all those that came before me, and all they poured into me. Captured moments of lives on stages. @efinitives Respect your Roots. Carve a Path. Share the Map

Mr.Alfred Gallman. This man encouraged me, made me stand up tall, and gave me a sturdy foundation in dance and life. There was the dancer I was before Mr.Gallman and then the Dancer I became after his tutelage. Look out for his story on an upcoming episode of "E-finitives" Respect Your Roots. Carve a Path. Share the Map

Prayers aren't always answered in the way you ask for. In the past I prayed to have the opportunity to go on tour, getting paid to do art I believed in , with people I love. This prayer was answered on multiple occasions. But who knew that the most fulfilling time of this prayer fulfillment, would be a time I didn't even set foot on the stage. Being out here in SF with @ase_dance Theatre Collective is making my heart smile. I miss dancing. That's when I felt most in my power. But life punches you in the face, and knocks out that power source, and you gotta find other outlets. Just knowing that I had a part in Adia Whitaker 's latest dream is helping me to keep going. I love you DiDi.You are Genius. One of a kind, and your Ancestors are proud. I love you Kendra, Erin, Brian,Guy, Tossie, Zakiya Oyadolu, Tilishia,Imani, Alexandra, Tracie, A Nia, Tinisha and Stephanie . It's been beautiful to witness all of you in your Black Magical Glory. With this work, I'm Praying that just as this trip has been a fulfillment of my prayers, that all your Prayers will manifest. With the same intention and magicalness that y'all leave on that stage each night. Love Ya'll.

Opening night is this Thursday, October 17th! ODC THEATRE PRESENTS Àse Dance Theatre Collective “Have K(NO!)w Fear: A Bluessical” “Have K(NO!)w Fear: A Bluessical” is an undoing spell that wants to untie all the knots that choke the future. It’s a kinesthetic reimagining of ritual dance theater as an action of protest, prayer, and healing. Bridging the impact that natural disasters, systematic oppression, brutality, forced migration, dislocation, power, and privilege continue to have on the minds, hearts, and voices of so many with the “talk”, this twelve-chapter story tale waxes and wanes between the satirical and serious. Àse Dance Theatre Collective petitions ancestors and invites audiences to witness a world where embodied culture speaks, sings and moves without fear. To purchase tickets, see link in bio. PERFORMANCES October 17 - 19, 8 PM PANEL DISCUSSION October 18, 6.30 PM LOCATION 3153 17th St, San Francisco, CA 94110 CAST + CREW Artistic Direction, Choreography, Costume Design, Songwriting, Musical Arrangement | Adia Tamar Whitaker Musical Direction, Musical Arrangement, Fiddle Player, Lead Percussionist | @guydechalus Lighting Design | Andrew Packard Lead Vocalists/Storytellers |@tossielong @shesash8peshifter @bradleygirlfree Dancer/Vocalists |Tinisha Newland @freee_stile @lovekjr @imani.nzingha @stephanie.bastos9 @polite.brian Have No Fear Filmmakers | @sarah__molly @futureofnonfiction @transientphotog Project Management | Marisol Ybarral + A. Nia Austin Edwards @purposeproductions Multimedia producer | @transientphotog SPECIAL THANKS @efe.dayo @odcsf @wesleyan_u @undo #dance #ritual #ceremony #healing #medicine #protest #africandiaspora #neofolkloric #satytheirnames #blacklivesmatter #havenofear #closethecamps #nooneisillegal #equality #neveragainisnow