Raíces et Résistance

“Raíces et Résistance” or “Roots and Resistance” in Spanish/French directed by Susana Arenas Pedroso and Bongo Sidibe , with dancers and musicians from Arenas Dance Companies and Duniya Dance and Drum Companies, explores the vibrant, layered, and largely unknown social-political relationship between Guinea, West Africa and Cuba, forged by the transatlantic slave trade as well as the post-colonial cultural exchange that began in the 60s. Bringing together their cultural expertises, their passion, their senses of joy and justice, Pedroso and Sidibe have created a unique performance built on storytelling and cultural collaboration. “Raices et Résistance” embodies the past as well as the present, a story of Black people defining themselves through dance and music, during and after the traumas of slavery and colonization.

After independence from France, Guinea elected socialist president Sekou Touré, one of the African continent’s prominent independence leaders. Touré aligned closely with Cuba’s Fidel Castro, and through this alliance came cultural exchange between the two countries. Artists were invited to festivals by the government’s of both countries, and national music groups in Guinea, like Bembeya Jazz, created music with heavy Cuban influence. This story informs the collaboration between Duniya, Arenas, and Dance Mission in “Raíces et Résistance.”

Tickets:

$20 Early Bird! (Before Aug 15)

$35 General (After Aug 15)

$10 youth 12 years and younger

$15 students

Host or Publisher Dance Mission Theater