Nzinga Dance is an African and Caribbean cultural performing arts group. African Dance and Drum is a Story, telling of the history, legends and traditions of Africa and the Caribbean.

Nzinga Dance perform African and African Caribbean cultural Dance, Drum, Song and Folklore at corporate and launch events, schools and community events, Arts festivals and events. Nzinga Dance also offer a range of educational arts workshops including African Dance, Caribbean Dance, Afro- Street Dance, African Drumming, Caribbean Drumming, African Singing, Storytelling, Arts & Crafts, African cookery.

Nzinga Dance are available for Corporate and Private functions contact for more information and booking.

Summer 2010

CARIBBEAN TRADITIONAL DANCE COURSE Learn the vibrant heritage dances of the Caribbean islands, explore the origins of carnival culture on this lively 1 week course. For ages 14-25 years.

No experience necessary. Classes accompanied by live drumming.
Tutor: Deanna Michel-de Sousa
COST: Free Time: 1.30-4pm
Date: Monday 9th-Friday 13th August
Venue: Central Foundation School, Harley Grove, Bow, London E3.
DIRECTIONS: Off Bow Road. Tube: Bow Road (district & metropolitan lines) or Mile End (central, district, metropolitan lines). DLR: Bow Church. Buses: D8,8,25,108,205,276,425. This course is being hosted as part of Tower Hamlets Summer University. Course Code: MD05.

Please enrol via www.futureversity.org/towerhamlets or tel 020 7 247 7900. Info: nzingadance@aol.com www.nzingadance.org.uk

Review - Sunday with Nzinga - March 2009

The Horniman Museum with its permanent African World's Gallery provided the perfect milieu for Nzinga Dance Company's Sunday presentation. The museum transformed into a community like setting as family and friends gathered against the wall, on the floor and seated in chairs waiting patiently to see their relatives execute their work. After a ten week course students had the opportunity to showcase what they had been taught. Nzinga has become a permanent fixture at the Horniman Museum with its own teaching space situated on the second floor. Every Sunday the company offers dance and drumming classes for both children and adults at various levels.

With propulsive rhythms and cultural terrain the company and its students captured the spectators. They entered the room with a procession of singing, chanting, dancing and drumming. They professed a style reminiscent of the peaks and valleys of a euphoric place found in Africa or the Caribbean. The traditional outfits were a kaleidoscope of colours and monochromatic shades of red, yellow, orange and blue. Nzinga's six-member ensemble demonstrated an interactive style that engaged the audience.

The company offered a combination of improvisation, rhythmic expressions and melodic stories. They performed a few of their well known pieces including Bele,' a Creole dance rooted in various islands in the Caribbean, Kumina from Jamaica and Bammaya from Ghana. Variations of song and dance from Africa and the Caribbean brightened up the corridors and hallways of the museum. Both Nzinga's children and adult students radiated with pride and beamed with enthusiasm as they pranced and frolicked for the energized audience. Instruments such as the kpanlogo, odondo, djembe, brekete, jingles and shakers created a dramatic and embellished showing.

As a pioneer and purveyor of African and Afro Caribbean dance in London the company endeavours to keep the spirit of these vibrant cultures alive through their teaching programmes and performances. Nzinga and its students provided a Sunday treat for all to delight in.

Review by Jo-Ann Hamilton