“Ago Ayo - Spirits Rising” dance theater performance featuring Onyi Love
VIVER BRASIL, Los Angeles Afro-Brazilian dance theater company
A compilation of segments from the performance
Date: Friday, September 22, 2017 at 8:30 pm
Name: Viver Brasil Celebrates 20 Years: Agô Ayó - Spirits Rising
Venue: The Ford Theatres - 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood, 90068
About: Viver Brasil celebrates its 20th anniversary with world premiere performances of "Cor Da Pele," choreographed by Marina Magalhães and “Para Onde o Samba Me Leva" choreographed by Vera Passos, as well as Viver Brasil's restaged repertory pieces “Orixas,” “Oxum, Lady of the Sweet Rivers” and “Avaninha.” The evening features new music by Simon Carroll, Kahlil Cummings with Bobby Easton and Fabio Santana performed live [including singers Onyi Love and Emina Shimanuki].
These works exalt the Afro-Brazilian ancestral wisdom of orixa dance and music, the socially charged dances of frevo, samba and the Bloco Afro carnival spectacle. The anniversary concert dance event highlights Viver Brasil's joy and jubilance and artistic range as the company deeply explores the contemporary themes of race, gender, resistance and resilience.
Founded in 1997, Viver Brasil is a living bridge for social and artistic exchange between Los Angeles and Sister City, Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. Viver Brasil pursues its mission with bold dance theatre for the stage as well as community engagement programs which bring electrifying Afro-Brazilian dance, music, and culture to schools and community venues that include conversations about race, equity and social activism.
For press inquiries please contact:
Allison Van Etten
Ravenscroft PR, 323-449-5030, allison@ravenscroftpr.com
Source: https://www.fordtheatres.org/calendar/viver-brasil
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Special highlight:
Singers Emina Shimanuki and Felicia “Onyi” Richards enhanced the evening with their amazing voices, but they truly inspired during a musical interlude titled “Selected Chants for the River Goddess Oxum.” These were songs shared by Dona Cici and arranged by Kahlil Cummings. The two women walked slowly down to the edge of the stage while singing, and even after they disappeared off stage, their beautiful songs could be heard. — Jeff Slayton in LA Dance Chronicle article “Viver Brasil Celebrates 20 Years at the Ford Theaters with Agô Ayó Spirits Rising” (9.25.17)