nzoCALIFA™ Dance Works...

Dec. 2015 -- Adept, Stately, gracious and agile in movement and Spirit, a grand library of cultural wisdom and devotee to Dance, closes and transitions. Iba'se Baba Nii,  I am forever   moved by your Grand Spirit, wisdom and Artistic excellence.  ~ R. Califa, Nzo Califa Dance Works Prof. Fransis Nii Yartey "...the recent past director of the Department of Dance Studies, University of Ghana (Legon) and the acting Director of the Ghana Dance Ensemble – passed on last week at the age of 69 -after a short illness during a national assignment in the Indian capital, New Delhi." Dr. F. Nii Yartey transitioned Nov. 21, 2015, his final bow in Delhi, India  leading and Africa/India Dance Summit More about the legacy of Baba Nii here:  http://artsghana.org/prof-f-nii-yartey-he-died-as-he-lived-a-selfless-devotee-to-dance-in-ghana/ KUSUM AFRICA , MARCH 2002 - UC Berkeley, Zellerback - Pioneering Moment photo courtesy: Baba CK Ladzekpo, Key Collaborator of ...

  #GoodFriday -- A tributary salute to the dynamic cosmic duo of Oya and Sango - Maferefun Orisha. Modupe Iya and Baba. A moment to rise to the occasion of such a charged Season  of change and forward motion. Over the years, under the guise of proficient spiritual leadership, these forces would influence my path with unforgettable  guiding principles still empowering my life today: Walk forward astute, strong and never wear your woes on your heart like a pocket. In the face of injustice, prepare your case trump tight, align with advocates and claim your Victory Kawo is a charismatic leader and commanding speaker amplifying, attuning or  appeasing to his desire.  So be alert and unrelenting in favor of your petitions before this energy. Yet, stay savvy in nature breeding harmony not discord in these exchanges. When it comes to the DRUM - clear the floor, for more than likely he'll/she'll own it! Kawo BRINGS THE #DANCE with impressive movement ...

Featured COVER photo on "Nzo Califa Dance Works" Facebook Page platform sharing newsworthy trends and noteworthy happenings in the Bay Area Cultural Dance scene and beyond.  picture:  snapshot of original photo from @nzoCALIFA archives Afro Brasilian Grupo Carnavalesco Fogo Na Roupa - Carijama Oakland 1997    Mestre Carlos Aceituno, Founder/Artistic Director [iba'se] Regina "Califa" Calloway: Carnaval Program Mana ger/Principal Dancer original photo: Baba George Sekou Lebeaud

[photo below] June 2003 Indybay news reports "..latest target of Mayor Jerry Brown's gentrification efforts is the Alice Arts Center. Brown plans to displace the 50 residents and the 22 arts ..."  Learn more about this movment: https://www. facebook .com/ Soul-of-Oakland -1720783861474501/ An UNMASKED FACE IN THE PHASE OF OAKLAND ARTS...and the DRUMS play ON! #SoulofOakland

"I’m not sure I’ve met a dancer who doesn’t discuss  African dance as a spiritual practice." - Delina Patrice Brooks, Director The Bay Area African Dance scene emerges upon an International arena, garnering nation-wide support and overwhelming praise with growing interest  about What African American Women really have to say and share, while participating in discourse about their African Dance experience.  As seen through a guided lens, devotee, Multi-disciplinary Artist, Producer and Director Delina Brooks of Delina Dream Productions gives voice to emerging Cultural care-takers, Dance forces, Educators, Teaching Artists and a Lawyer amplifying the voices of countless to be heard and revisiting the wisdom of those before us. #RiteOn  We're sure you'll be glued to the screen and moved to want to see and listen to more. Featured Internationally renown African Dance Master Teachers at Oakland's historical cradle place for African Dance - Malonga Casquelo...

www.nfungotah.org aug. 14th -- Stepping up my service in the #Dance by making atonement and to #HonorBreath. Joined in  New Orleans Commune+Unity initiative at the historic Congo Square - AUG. 29th 10A - 12Midnite, Nfungotah Inc. 's #RhythmicAlchemy will invoke measures of "Healing and Recovery" at the country's epicenter -- Congo Square - Orleans Parish - Louisiana.      Reflecting upon this vital connection that fuels my works of Service, Ancestor honoring, Professional Teaching curriculum and my own vitality -- remembering those unforgettable words that my Grandfather of Pioneer, Louisiana told me in the emergence of gentrification in the Bay Area -- "...don't forget your own backyard." *never forget how we come and whose you belong to." I forge enlightened pathways as a beacon of light aspiring higher...I now commemorate a decade of powerful works shared in the wake of what has been coin-phrased around the world as #Katrina10 ...

De Rompe y Raja Afro Peruvian Cultural Association, trailblazing Dance Company, Cultural agency and Ambassadors in promoting the rich traditions of Afro Culutura Peruana from the Coastal region of Lima, Peru for over 20 years. R. Califa joined this company in 1996 under the aegis of Founders Artistic Director Gabriela Shiroma and Musical Director Pedro Rosales: Festejo, Lando, Samba Malato, Diablo, Zamacueca were a few of the styles I became well versed and trained in, while actually performing with virtuoso, icons and Masters of the field directly from Lima, Peru. Below features the Founding Member of the World renown Peru Negro, Maestro Lalo Izquiero with Regina Califa in a featured solo. __________ "Torito Pinto" [ little Black Bull] San Francisco Ethnic Dance Festival Audition 2001 TORITO PINTO (Festejo)  Choreography by Lalo Izquierdo Company: De Rompe y Raja  The lead Dancer [red skirt] represents the matador against the masked Lalo representing the diab...

"Water Runs Through It" conceived by New Orleans native,  Leslie Zakiya  Cornish   - whose Dance sojourn of African American identity steeped in the historical backdrop of the Black Civil Rights movement and African Liberation cultivated through International Ambassadorship by premiere African Ballet Companies of the times -- the catalyst in further establishing a long-time kinship exchange and presence of African Dance and Drum Communities in the United States. The real gift of this piece as part of her M.F.A. Thesis concert at Temple University, reveals a  Mother-daughter Ancestral cycle story influenced by "her intimate connection to the radical impact of Hurricane Katrina, and the invocation of two bodies of water inherently connected to her ancestral roots - the Mississippi River and the Atlantic Ocean."  The featured soloist in the center is Zakiya's Mother a celebrated Dance Elder and Medium - Mama Djaara. "Water Runs Through It: Rogation...

archives> 18th Annual Collage des Cultures Africaines   "Knowledge Keepers"  #COLLAGE2013 March 9, 2013  Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, Oakland, CA produced by Diamano Coura West African Dance Company COLLAGE 2013 "Knowledge Keepers" celebrates those teachers and cultural, honoring their works as cultural innovators recognized as International Ambassadors of the Arts! Collage 2013 showcases a stellar cast of cultural artists [in order of appearance of clip]  Diamano Coura West African Dance, Dimensions Dance Theater (40 years of Black Dance),  Julia Chigamba and Chinyakare (Zimbabwe),  Starchild Dannce (Lindy Hop, Hip Hop, Jazz),  Rara Tou Limen (Haitian) and  The African Music and Dance Ensemble (Ghana) not shown.  Finale by the show's Host Diamano Coura. [s ource: @Madioudiouf on YouTUBE]

Gran' ABDOULAYE DIAKITE - Bamana of Tambacounda West African. 18 year Drum virtuoso with Ballet National du Senegal, Co Founder of Ceedo Senegalese Dance Co. Founder/ Creator of Tambacounda Productions. Wisdom keeper of Traditional Djembe & #JebeBARA philosophy   [click link in support] ~jerejuf

Bay Area, CA -- B uzzing with salutations and celebrations honoring the Honorees this year's legacies of Cultural Gatekeepers to be honored MAY 28th at the San Francisco International Arts Festival, in a Night of Tribute in Dance , honoring Dance Pioneer, Blanche Brown, produced by Congo SQ West Kinship Society. Honorees week MAY 10th - MAY 14th encourages our constituencies to ENGAGE through the DANCE and LEARN more about the people behind the living legacy, reflecting a wealth of kinship associations historical to the Bay Area Cultural Landscape and beyond!  Tickets available online for Night of Tribute in Dance, honoring Dance Pioneer   Blanche Brown . [ click link ] Come on out and participate and share a good word.  Check the listing below for class/workshop offerings: For more info: www.congosqwest.org Congo SQ West boasts an exciting week of signature #Dance programming and exchange in commemoration of their 10th partnering with the SF Internatio...

Thank You Oakland, Bay Area for a wonderful 1st class outpouring of Dance Kinship, with exciting energy and dynamic teaching by Master Teacher Alassane Kane. #RiteOn  Added class to the schedule below is:                                                                                       TUES. MARCH 24th, 7:30p - 9:00P [ added class ] 2nd floor, Studio A / $15 Malonga Center - 1428 Alice st. Oakland *Ousseynou/Kelly Kouyate via Diamano Coura In residency Master Performance Artist,  Teacher, Dance Virtuoso - Gran Alassane Kane of Grand Dakar, Senegal, celebrated alumnus of  Le Ballet National Du Senegal

Revived pathways, inspirations from Bay #Dance & Cultural legacy Post by Nzo Califa Dance Works .