Byb Kongo Bibene presents Nkisi Nkondi: A Divine Sculpture from Central Africa, a public talk which reveals the not so told functions of the nkisi nkondi, the sacred statues found in the great kingdom of Kongo in the 19th century. The Nkisis were power figures used by individuals, families, or whole communities to destroy or weaken evil spirits, prevent or cure illnesses, repel bad deeds, solemnize contracts or oath taking, and resolve disputes. A diviner or holy person would activate the statue...
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For the 18th annual Bay Area Dance Week, dancers Byb Bibene and Chris Babingui offer a special class, the Rumba Congo. The Congolese rumba (not related to Cuban rumba) is a social dance that is very prominent throughout the Republic of Congo and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Every bar and club offers a selection of rumba music en vogue or in retro. The music is soft, slow, lyrical, and intimate. With variations in music and body rhythms, the dance is performed between couples. This is not a ...
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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 rec...
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In collaboration with the Red Poppy Art House, Byb & Kiandanda Dance Theater present Dance Africa Dance for Peace and Independence. The evening features performances by two African dancers/choreographers, Ange Aoussou from Ivory Coast and Chris Babingui from the Republic of Congo. Performing their respective solo works, J'aime le rouge and Nibo Nano, these pieces touch on the social-political issues of the African continent that is still struggling to gain true independence and development.
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