CURRENT
REPERTOIRE 2006 -2007 SEASON
The highly spirited choreographic works of COBA, Collective Of Black Artists, range from
Traditional African, Caribbean Indigenous Folk to Modern and Contemporary forms. These
dances and their music serve as an education an inspiration to all audiences.
Bodika
(Sessions) (Contemporary ) 2005
Length: 18 mins
Music: Usumi Tiako, Famadou Konyate
Choreography: Vincent Sekwati Koko Mantsoe
About: Among the Pedi ethnic group of South Africa a "Bodika" is a rites
of passage ritual for boys to enter in the council of men. These rituals are often
referred to as sessions. In the work Bodika (Sessions) Mantsoe engages the concept of
communing and conversation to create a work that is as spiritually connected as it is
physically engaging.
DjembeFola
(Contemporary ) 2004
Length: 22mins
Music: Baba Touré, Dombàa Folee, Adama Dramé
Choreography: BaKari E. Lindsay
About: The Djembe is a Malinke instrument. It is presently one of the most popular drums
in North America. To be a DjembeFola is to embody the essence of the instrument. Not
everyone who plays a Djembe is a Fola, because it requires love, passion and spiritual
connection to be a DjembeFola.
Mbayan (Traditional West African
Length: 20mins
Music: Traditional Sabar Drums and Chants
Choreography: Alassane Sarr
About: Mbayan is a harvest dance, and one of the oldest traditional dances from Senegal,
West Africa. It features functional movement coupled with intricate rhythms of
celebration.
Mas-k
(Caribbean Contemporary) 2004
Length: 12 mins
Music: Clive Alexander & Anisee Hadeed
Choreography: BaKari E. Lindsay
About: Mas-k is a Caribbean's woman struggle for identity in a post-colonial Caribbean.
The complex duality of society enslaves her while she strives for a Caribbean Indigenous
identity.
Kumina
(Caribbean) 2002
Length: 18mins
Music: Traditional Drums & Chants
Choreography: Julia Morris
About: Kumina is a religious ritual originating from the Congo region in West Africa.
Practiced by the 'Pocomania', indigenous to Jamaica, this ritual bands people "travail
in the spirit" with an intensifying frenzy, they dance in a circle to the
rhythms of the drums and chants.
Transe
(Traditional/Contemporary) 2002
Length: 30 min
Music: Boukan Guenin , Traditional Drums and Chants
Choreography: Jeanguy Saintus
Inspirit
(Contemporary) 2004
Length: 8 min
Music: Dumisani Maraire
Choreography: Charmaine Headley
About: Inspirit is an exploration in the joys of moving.
Primal
Fête (Contemporary) 1999
Length: 30 min
Music: COBA Musical Ensemble
Choreography: BaKari E. Lindsay
ABOUT: PRIMAL FÊTE explores the spirit, freedom and complexities of African dance within
a contemporary structure.
Portrait
(Modern) 1994
LENGTH: 13 min
MUSIC: Nina Simone
CHOREOGRAPHY: BaKari E. Lindsay
ABOUT: PORTRAIT, a stark look at the human condition when dealing with issues of race and
equality.
Domba-Go
(Traditional West African "Djembe") 2001
Length: 22mins
Music: Traditional Drums and Chants
Choreography: BaKari E. Lindsay after Linda Faye Johnson
About: Domba-go is a suite of West African dances from Guinea. These dances, their rhythms
and history highlights key events is African societies. These events include rites of
passage, harvest, celebration and naming ceremonies.
© COBA (Collective Of Black Artists) Inc.
