Dema Ensemble, “The Rise of the New Dawn”

Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21 at 8:00pm

Dougherty Dance Theatre, Gerlinger Annex

$12 general admission, $8 students and seniors

“Dema,” a succinct word in the Dagbanli language spoken by the Dagbamba ethnic group of northern Ghana, means something quite complex in English: the concept of a total performance experience interweaving multiple modes of visual and physical storytelling.

That aesthetic will inform the inaugural performance of Dema, the UO’s newest performing ensemble!

Dema, a total African performance experience, will combine the study and performance of traditional arts, including drumming, dance, singing, and storytelling from a variety of African cultures.

The ensemble is headed by Assistant Professor Habib Iddrisu, a traditionally trained musician, dancer, and historian from northern Ghana. In a concert entitled “The Rise of the New Dawn,” the Dema performers will bring pieces from Ghana, Senegal, and Guinea to the Dougherty Dance Theatre, with Iddrisu creating additional original works.

Music for Dema’s inaugural concert will feature the works of professional Ghanaian musicians and dancers from across the United States and Ghana, performing live. Previous engagements for the traditional musicians include work with the three foremost Ghana National Companies (the Ghana Dance Ensemble; Abibigromma, resident company of the University of Ghana; and the Ghana National Dance Company.)