Oriki Omi Oddara presents a special engagement of two full-length performances of traditional and original dance, music, and song rooted in the Afro-Cuban Culture entitled “Comienzo de la Vida”.  Oriki’s legendary Artistic Director Felix “Pupy” Insua will present four new pieces inspired by the September Feast days for three Afro-Cuban Orishas (deities) Yemaya, Oshun, and Obbatala, who represent the land, water, and love. 

Insua’s choreography draws inspiration from natural, in this production, the forces that began life. These movements are personified in the dance of the “Orishas” (Afro-Cuban deities), and also communicate a commonality between earth, the human experience, and the spiritual realm of possession and release. The repertoire conjures images of ancestral spirits and rituals, and illuminates hidden passages into mystical universes both in days past and modern times. Insua’s choreographic vocabulary is based in the traditions of the Yoruba, Congo, Carabali, and Dahomey cultures, complimented through the use of ballet and modern techniques. 

This production is a special benefit performance to support and sustain the work of Oriki Omi Oddara.  In keeping with Insua’s mission and his belief that dance and its expression is not limited to a select few, this production incorporates professional musicians and dancers from Cuba as well as dancers from New York City who have been trained under Insua. 

Oriki Omi Oddara’s Music Director Roman Diaz, one of Cuba’s finest percussionists, reinvents traditional rhythms into explosive arrangements. Oriki’s company dancers are Rosalia Gamboa, Jennifer Donello, Ann Mazzocca, Zoe Klein, Allison Notter. Special musical guests are Pedro Martinez and Danny Rojo.
 
Performances:
Friday, September 14th at 8:00pm and
Saturday, September 15th at 7:00pm. 

Location: BAAD! (Bronx Academy of Art and Dance)
841 Barretto Street, Hunts point, The Bronx (#6 train to Hunts Point Avenue.)

For more information, contact Jennifer Donello at 718-824-0316 or email to: jennifer@orikiomioddara.com.
For Box Office: phone 718-824-0316 or email to tickets@orikiomioddara.com