By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
A contemporary African dance group, born from the passion of a Ghanaian street kid, will be bringing extra drums to Drum Theatre this month.
Asanti Dance Theatre artistic director Appiah Assan formed a group from “all backgrounds” for the touring show Sankofa.
The dancers are from a range of cultures. The dance is influenced by west African traditions as well as contemporary Australian dance companies such as Bangarra and Chunky Move.
It promises to be a visceral experience, humming with live energetic music from sound artist Dale Gorefinkel and four instrumentalists.
Assan, a child prodigy, has been trained in a wide range of disciplines, learning hip hop, acrobatics and drumming since being discovered as a talented 12 year old.
He formed the group in Ghana with friends living on the streets in 2003, with the aim of spreading messages of tolerance and peace.
It exchanged ideas with visiting ballet and contemporary dancers, forming a unique style.
“We came from nowhere. We were street boys from different backgrounds,” Assan said.
Since settling in Australia, he has used Asanti to bring the Ghanaian community closer to Westerners. He only occasionally performs, al though he confesses to dancing along as he watches his company in action.
Sankofa takes place at Drum Theatre, 226 Lonsdale Street, Dandenong, at 8pm on December 20. Bookings: 9771 6666 or drumtheatre.com.au.
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