MIAMI – Haitian dance company AYIKODANS has been invited by The Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts of Miami-Dade County to perform a world premiere piece as part of the Center’s 10th Anniversary celebration.
The new piece, titled M’Angaje, is inspired by the Center’s ongoing alliance with the company which originated when they found a home at the Arsht Center following the devastating 2010 earthquake. Performed by the 9-member Port Au Prince-based ensemble with live vocal and drum accompaniment, M’Angaje speaks to making new allies to advance a cause.
Performances are February 4-6, 2016 in the Arsht Center’s Carnival Studio Theater. Tickets to AYIKODANS are $40* and can be purchased now through the Adrienne Arsht Center Box Office by calling (305) 949-6722, or online at www.arshtcenter.org.
Created by AYIKODANS Artistic Director and Choreographer Jeanguy Saintus and commissioned by the Arsht Center, M’Angaje (Kreyol for “I am committed”) was inspired by the necessity or the duty, in times of great distress, to return to one’s roots, to delve into one’s inner soul and ask the spirits for protection.
On the brink of extinction following the catastrophic earthquake in 2010, AYIKODANS found a helping hand in Miami. In 2013, with the help of money raised over three years through an effort led by the Arsht Center, AYIKODANS opened the doors to a new dance studio outside of Port-au-Prince, Haiti in 2013, ensuring the company’s future.
“Drifting Ayikodans was grateful that powerful forces converged to create a bond between the Haitian dance company and the Arsht Center. Thanks to this collaboration, Ayikodans feels more purposeful and more committed to teaching audiences about the vitality and philosophies of Haitian arts and culture,” said Saintus.
Also on the February program is Phases, a trilogy that draws from three decades of Saintus’ choreography – an exploration in three movements of his form, style and texture. Both pieces will feature a combination of live music, drumming and vocals as well as pre-recorded selections. The atmosphere will be enhanced with lighting by Roya Abab and Al Crawford of Arc3design, who also design for Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.
HAITIAN DANCE: ARTS EDUCATION AND COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
The Arsht Center has organized the following educational opportunities for the entire community.
- February 1 at 11 a.m.: Lecture by Ayikodans Choreographer and Artistic Director Jeanguy Saintus as part of the Haitian Studies Program of Excellence Speaker Series.
Location: Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center, Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs, Florida International University
Free and open to the public
- February 2 at 7 p.m.: Community dance master class led by Jeanguy Saintus with dancers and live percussion. Open to dancers with prior training in modern, classical, contemporary or Caribbean dance.
Location: Peacock Studio, Arsht Center, 1300 Biscayne Boulevard. Miami, FL 33132
To register, please email [email protected] or call (786) 468-2299.
Ayikodans company members have danced on stages in Latin America, Europe, the United States and Asia, performing at such venues as Muziekgebow in the Netherlands, Cartier Foundation for Contemporary Art in Paris, Teatro Nacional in the Dominican Republic, Teatro Anayansi in Panama, L’Atrium Fort de France in Martinique and Rencontres de Danses Metisses in French Guyana (Guyane Française).
In addition, Saintus is recipient of a 2008 Prince Claus Award and a 2014 Images and Voice of Hope Award. Saintus was also invited to set a piece on the Cleo Parker Robinson Dance Ensemble which premiered at Lincoln Center’s prestigious Out of Doors festival in 2012.
Most recently, AYIKODANS was invited to perform in Panama during the 500th Anniversary Celebration of the Discovery of the Pacific Ocean.
