Today we hit the Noyam African Dance Institute.
It's located up in the mountains, way out of town....and we got pretty lost trying to get there.
We ended up driving basically through people's yards, surrounded by goats and chickens. It was a really interesting way to see a real village up close.
Their space is really lovely -- sort of looks like a giant yurt.
We were told that it's the only privately run modern dance company in Ghana. Professor Yarty is the director.Actually, we also found out that a handful of students (including Jackson) who were involved in the university workshop don't go to the university at all. They are members of the Noyam company who are so hungry for dance that they requested to participate in both sessions. as they put it "We swallow dance, because chewing takes too long"
They performed for us. It was such a great melding of African and modern dance. They are really exceptional. It would be amazing if we could figure out a way to get them to NY....maybe to perform in the Downtown Dance Festival.
We managed to put together a 6 min. piece in about 2 hours. Amazing! This one is to jazz music.
Then we had lunch which ran way over time as it usually does. Now I really understand what African time is.
And after that, we worked with the little ones.
Tiny adorable little Ghanaians, age 9 to 15.
They haven't been dancing long, so the Noyam members came to the rescue to help with exercises.
We couldn't have done it without them.
The little ones performed.
The company members performed -- a fantastic piece! (with no music, since the power had gone out)
Then we ate sugar cane and coconut.
Probably the best day yet.
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