Who We Carry film premiere party by Rejoice Diaspora Dance Theatre

Cascade Festival of African Films & Portland Institute of Contemporary Art present:

“Who We Carry” 

 October 10, 2021

DOOR & Dance Party  7:30 pm || Film 8pm 

TICKET COSTS: FREE

LIVE & Virtual Premiere ticket reservations: https://rejoicepremiere.eventive.org/welcome

 

LOCATION: 

In Person: Release 24 in advanced

 

Film release & dance party with DJ Floyd Vader

featuring the newest release by Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater preceded by a short film selection by the Cascade Festival of African Films

 

“We call on these traditional ring shout practices to help us move forward. From this Black-centric knowledge, we create and manifest our own healing, process of mourning, and strengthening our community in the Pacific Northwest. This is where we depart from tradition and imagine Afro Futuristically.”       Oluyinka Akinjiola, Artistic Director

 

Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater’s newest dance film, Who We Carry, is a three part journey of ancestral roots in the Ring Shout traditions of the Gullah Geechee, Yoruba Orishas in the African Diaspora, and lands in the Pacific Northwest. Who We Carry transforms grief and loss during the COVID pandemic into an opportunity to reclaim our power.  With labor, gratitude, love and power we become our intimate visions for the future. Co-produced by Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater and Portland Playhouse, and an Elijah Hasan Film

 

Funding and support from the Collins Foundation, Oregon Cultural Trust, Oregon Community Foundation, the Portland Institute of Contemporary Art, Regional Arts and Culture Council, and Ronni LaCroute

 

Film Credits:

Co-Production: Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater & Portland Playhouse

Director and Filmmaker: Elijah Hasan

Artistic Director: Oluyinka Akinjiola

Composer: Michael Galen

Choreographers & Performers: Oluyinka Akinjiola (and Dami Allen Slizewski), Malik Delgado, Bethany Harvey (and Baby Harvey), Michael Galen, Jamie Minkus and Decimus Yarbrough

Vocalists: Shalanda Sims and Habiba Addo

Costume Design: Jamie Minkus

Prop Design: Bethany Harvey

Lighting Design & Technical Direction: Thyra Hartshorn

Introduction and Ring Shout Scholar: Tamara LaDonna Williams (Ifákẹ́mi Ṣàngóbámkẹ́ Moṣebọ́látán)