Dema African Music and Dance Ensemble
The Oregon Humanities Center is a cosponsor of two performances of “The Rise of the New Dawn” by DEMA African Music and Dance Ensemble on May 20 and 21 at 8 p.m. in the Dougherty Dance Theatre in Berlinger Annex.
DEMA is non-auditioned performance ensemble open to all UO students, regardless of background or experience. The group uses the total performance concept to advance cross-cultural understanding, enrich students’ university-life experience through diversity, and broaden their worldview through performance. The ensemble’s foundation is built on one of the basic principles of traditional African performance-community building.
This year’s inaugural show brings about 18 professional Ghanaian musicians and dancers from across the US and Ghana to join our amazing UO students. The majority of these professional artists were part of three of the foremost national companies in Ghana (The Ghana Dance Ensemble, Abibigromma-Resident Company of the University of Ghana, and the Ghana National Dance Company).