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| This blog contains information about Traditional West African Dancer, Afrika Midnight Asha Abney |
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 Traditional West African Dancer, Afrika Midnight Asha Abney provides an array of programs. Among them include:School/Career Programs – Offers programs for kindergarten through high school audience, by introducing students to basic Traditional West African dance, teaching the history and background of Traditional West African dancing and inviting special guests.
Community Workshops – Offer workshops for all ages in the authentic dance and drumming styles of select West African cultural groups. An aerobic activity, dance classes include a warm-up and breakdown of dance steps, followed by choreographed routines.
Performances - Provides performances for festivals, birthday parties, community fairs, and naming ceremonies.
For detailed information and fees, please contact her at Aashawarrior@aol.com
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SUMMARY OF QUALIFICATIONS
More than 10 years in dance performance and instruction. Skilled in developing and offering private dance programs. Capable of promoting professional dance companies.
EDUCATION/TRAINING
• African Heritage Dancers and Drummers, Washington, DC
• Memory of African Culture, Washington, DC • Balafon Women's Ensemble, Washington, DC COURSES STUDIED
Traditional West African Dancing
WORKSHOPS
February 27, 2004. Riverdale Baptist Church, Upper Marlboro, MD.Black History Month Program.
February 8, 2003. Cada Vez, Washington, DC . Youth Summit Community Program.
February 8, 2003. Josephine Butler Community Center, Washington, DC.
October 24,2002. Market 5 Gallery, Washington, D.C. Celebrate Dance
SELECTED DANCE PERFORMANCES
April 25, 2004. First Annual International Food Tasting Fest. Prince George's County Area Club, Upper Marlboro, MD
July 11, 2003. Paul Robeson Study and Struggle Center, Washington, DC.
June 21, 2003. Fete Da Musique, Washington, DC
June 14, 2003. Dad - I - Tude, Washington, DC
June 7, 2003. Pan African Festival, Washington, DC
June 1, 2003. Mt. Pleasant Festival,Washington, DC
May 24, 2003. African Liberation. Howard University Blackburn Center Auditorium, Washington, DC
May 23, 2003. Kings and Queens of Poetry. UDC, Washington, DC
May 8, 2003. American Red Cross Celebration and Dinner Party. American Red Cross - Washington, DC
May 3, 2003. Unity in Diversity Day. George Washington University Marvin - Center, Washington, DC. Sponsored by DC African - American Holiday Association and Company
February 16, 2003. Black History Month Celebration. Metropolitan A.M.E. Church, Washington, DC
January 20, 2003. Black Voices for Peace: 2nd Annual of Martin Luther King Jr Birthday National Workshop and Rally for Justice and Peace: Living the Legacy of Action Against Militarism, Racism and Economic Injustice. Plymouth Congregational Church, Washington, DC
January 18, 2003. Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. Martin Luther King Library, Washington, DC. Sponsored by The Alliance for Cultural Enrichment, MLK and Collective Voices
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Afrika Midnight Asha Abney is a Native Washingtonian and an accomplished dancer who is most influenced by Debbie Allen, Dr. Pearl Primus, Melvin Deal, and Katherine Dunham. She specializes in Traditional West African dancing and has studied with various companies specializing in African, South American and Caribbean dance including African Heritage Dancers and Drummers, Memory of African Culture, and Balafon Women's Ensemble. Additionally, Afrika has performed with the following companies which include African Heritage Dancers and Drummers, Memory of African Culture, Balafon Women's Ensemble and Malcolm X Drummers and Dancers.
 She has performed at such places as Dynafit Exercise Studio, Mt.Ararat Outreach Center, National Education Association (Washington, DC), Fairmount Heights Municipal Center (Fairmount Heights, MD), Metropolitan AME Church (Washington, DC), Cultural Cafe (Washington,DC), Josephine Butler Community Center (Washington, DC), Ideal Public Charter School (Washington, DC), International Mall ((Washington, DC), Lincoln Theater (Washington, DC), Ballou Senior High School (Washington, DC), MLK Library (Washington, DC), St. Marks Church (Washington, DC), Riverside Baptist Church (Washington, DC), Plymouth Congregational Church (Washington, DC), Capitol Plaza Mall (Capital Heights, MD) , Market 5 Gallery (Washington, DC), Joe's Movement (Mt. Rainier, MD), Malcolm X Park (Washington, DC), Greater Mt Nebo AME Church (Upper Marlboro, MD), Howard University (Auditorium) (Washington, DC), Washington Terrace Hotel (Washington, DC), and Walter Reed's Hospital (Washington, DC). Afrika has also performed in Senegal, West Africa.
Some of her most memorable performances include Greater Mt. Nebo AME Church 2003 Pan - African Festival, Dad-I-Tude Day 2003, 11th Annual Mt. Pleasant Festival,
First Annual International Food Tasting Fest, 2003 African Liberation Day, 2003 Unity in Diversity Day, 2002 Marketplace Festival, 2002 Sixth Anniversary Celebration of Cultural Cafe, and Poetry Extravaganza 2002: A Literary Celebration of the Life and Life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Afrika is available for workshops, performances, career seminars or special events and can be reached at Aashawarrior@aol.com
 Statement: Dance is an important expression of life that documents the thoughts, experiences, and traditions of an individual. Dance is beautiful, fundamental and uplifting for the soul.
The dancer frequently is engaged in a dual relationship: one with creation of using arm, feet and hands; rhythms of the drums or other musical instruments; the other with the perceived audience. Allowing the audience to gather its own perspective and to find its own story.
I believe it is truly a blessing to be a dancer, specifically a Traditional West African Dancer.
Traditional West African Dancing comes natural to me.
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