News Summary
The Saakumu Dance Troupe from Ghana will embark on a week-long residency in the Outer Banks, featuring public performances and educational workshops in May 2025. This collaboration with Dare Arts and the Don and Catharine Bryan Cultural Series aims to foster cultural awareness through vibrant Ghanaian dance and music. The schedule includes several performances throughout the week, alongside workshops for local students and community groups. With support from various organizations, this initiative highlights the importance of diversity and engagement within the community.
Saakumu Dance Troupe from Ghana Set to Perform Across Outer Banks in May 2025
The Saakumu Dance Troupe from Ghana is set to arrive on the Outer Banks for a week-long residency in May 2025, featuring a series of public performances and educational engagements organized by Dare Arts in collaboration with the Don and Catharine Bryan Cultural Series. This cultural residency has been in development for nearly a year and is anticipated to foster a deeper connection among community members through the vibrant artistry of Ghanaian dance and music.
The public performances scheduled during the residency include:
- Friday, May 2: First Friday at Dare Arts’ Courtyard in downtown Manteo at 6 p.m.
- Thursday, May 8: Duck Amphitheater in Duck at 6:30 p.m.
- Friday, May 9: KidsFest at Roanoke Island Festival Park in Manteo from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
- Saturday, May 10: Artrageous Kids Art Festival at Dowdy Park in Nags Head at 10:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.
The Saakumu Dance Troupe, established in 2008, is recognized as one of the leading performing troupes in Ghana, known for sharing both traditional and contemporary Ghanaian dance and music. Audiences can expect a dynamic experience that includes live drumming, dance, and storytelling, providing insight into Ghanaian cultural traditions.
Throughout the residency, the troupe will also engage with local students at elementary schools, such as Kitty Hawk, First Flight, Nags Head, Manteo, and Cape Hatteras schools. Students will have the opportunity to learn about the cultural significance of Ghanaian music and dance, and the rhythms and instruments used in these art forms. In addition to performances, the Saakumu Dance Troupe will conduct workshops for members of the Outer Banks Dementia Friendly Coalition and the Monarch Beach Club.
The initiative is supported by several organizations, including the Outer Banks Community Foundation, the Town of Manteo, and Outer Banks Health, with sponsorship from the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau. Community engagement through this residency aims to enrich the cultural landscape of the Outer Banks and promote a celebration of diversity.
For more details about the performances and educational engagements, interested individuals can visit DareArts.org or BryanCulturalSeries.org or call 252-473-5558.
This collaborative effort promises to be an exciting opportunity for the Outer Banks community to experience the rich artistic expressions of Ghana, fostering cultural awareness and appreciation among residents and visitors alike.
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Additional Resources
- The Coastland Times: Community Collaboration to Bring World-Class Dance Troupe to the Outer Banks
- Wikipedia: Traditional Ghanaian dance
- The Coastland Times: Outer Banks Community Foundation Awards More Than $70,000 to Local Nonprofits
- Google Search: Ghanaian music
- The Coastland Times: Books and Brews Spring Fling Event Set for Tuesday
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Ghanaian music
- The Coastland Times: Kelly Kulesza Named Outer Banks Hospital Employee of the Month
- Google News: Ghana dance
