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Flying Under the Radar, in Collaboration with Kiandanda Dance Theater & Bahiya Movement, Presents: Symbiosis
April 21, 2016 @ 7:30 pm - 10:00 pm
$12 – $20
Flying Under the Radar, in collaboration with the Red Poppy Art House, presents three nights of international performance featuring Symbiosis (directed by Kiandanda Dance Theater & Bahiya Movement) on April 21, The Supplicants – Celestial Frequencies on April 22, and As Três Meninas (curated by Derek Lassiter) on April 23.
Kiandanda Dance Theater (directed by Byb Chanel Bibene) and Bahiya Movement (directed by Afia Thompson) present Symbiosis, a shared evening of performance featuring recent dance projects: Weighted Acceptance and Nkisi Nkondi. Each choreographer presents work that speaks about a part of their identity, a self-reconnection to their past and present stories. Both pieces will be presented, followed by a Q&A and the sharing of soup. Come join this wonderful evening of food, dance, and insightful discussion.
About the Pieces:
Nkisi Nkondi by Kiandanda Dance Theater
The body memory of the myths, facts and stories behind the Nkisi Nkondi statue, a medium between the visible and the invisible world, between humans and divinities in the culture of the Kongo people. This project examines the lost values of justice, healing, sacred medicines and divine protection and human connection that the Nkisi Nkondi represented in the central African society.
Watch a clip of Nkisi Nkondi here.
Weighted Acceptance by Bahiya Movement
Collectively we all carry our own and each other’s weight(s). Through words and movement, we learn to accept the weight of who we are as we move through the world.
Preview a performance by Bahiya Movement here.
About the Directors:
Byb Chanel Bibene is a choreographer and performer working in theater and contemporary dance. His own technical and aesthetic sensibility is rooted in the culture and dances of his country of origin, the Republic of Congo. He has toured the world and performed internationally with companies and choreographers from Africa, England, France and the USA. Artistic Director of Kiandanda Dance Theater, Bibene launched Mbongui Square, a multidisciplinary arts event that gathers artists from the Bay Area and around the world. Outside of his professional careers of theater and dance, Bibene holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics/Finance and has a passion for writing. He is pursuing his MFA in Dance at Saint Mary’s College of California.
Afia “Beautiful 1” Thompson has been performing professionally since the age of 11 with her dance roots in West African traditions. Over the past 20 years, she has performed both nationally and internationally in genres such as jazz, hip-hop, lindy hop, freestyle, and modern dance. She is constantly refining her skills and versatility as a performer through yearly conferences, workshops, and performances. Ms. Thompson continues to expose herself to different forms of dance, drama and musical theatre, which adds a more finished touch to her skill and choreography level.
*Photo credits: Kaveri Seth (KDT) & Chani Bockwinkel (BM)
About Flying Under the Radar Festival of the Arts:
Flying Under the Radar Festival of the Arts dedicates itself to the creation of artistic bridges between Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the San Francisco Bay Area, USA. Working in concert with organizational and artistic partners in Rio and San Francisco, the festival aims to illuminate and invigorate the discourse between these two cultural centers by highlighting their distinctive artistic languages and processes of cultural investigation.
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Admission: $12-20. Doors at 7:00pm. Show at 7:30pm. All ages welcome.
Tickets will not be sold in advance for this event. Please arrive at the Red Poppy when doors open to purchase tickets.
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