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)