DANCES
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR -
GARY DE MATAS 2008-15
LIST OF WORKS available for touring
FUSIONA mixture of jazz styles and traditional African-Caribbean movements. Fusion is the company's signature piece.
Choreography: Astor JohnsonMusic: Live, traditional African-Caribbean percussion, originally arranged by André Tanker.
FOR BETTER OR WORSEA humorous dance mime satirizing an old-time country wedding.
Choreography: Astor JohnsonMusic: Traditional African-Caribbean percussion
SHEA trilogy on the black woman. Literally, a comment on her womanhood; historically, an overall tracing of her race from the beginning of time until now; morally, a lesson in courage.
She is Africa…out of her womb shall come the warriorsShe is Rhythm…and cannot be resistedShe is Black…She, she alone
Choreography: Astor JohnsonMusic: Traditional African-Caribbean percussion/André TankerPoem: Lasana Kwesi
GRAVEYARD FOR THE LIVINGAn essay on human isolation, set in a jail.1. The Initiation2. Dream3. Flight/Escape4. Web5. Madness and Escape/ Another Escape
Choreography: Astor Johnson
Music: Traditional
THE DANSE NEGREA medley of African-rooted folk dances
1. Manding - festive piece from the Mandingos/Ibo - brought to the West by the Ibos: the dancers simulate the movement of birds in flight, conflict and harmony;
2. Ewe-O - based more on Traditional African-Caribbean percussion neighbours consoling a bereaved woman/Broom Dance - a Traditional African-Caribbean percussion ritual is celebrated;
3. Ganga - the dancers celebrate Ogun, one of the highest "Saints" in the Yoruba hierarchy in a pre-ceremonial dance.
Choreography: Astor JohnsonMusic: Traditional African-Caribbean percussion
TRIBUTE TO A KINGAn essay on the ideas of the late Bob Marley, who died in 1981.1. Prelude2. Redemption Song3. Sorrows4. Get up, Stand up5. In celebration
Choreography: Astor JohnsonMusic. Bob Marley
AFRICA, AFRICAAn impressionistic piece which pays tribute to "Mother Africa"1. Sowing the Seed - The women clean and bless the land sowing their seeds2. The Warriors blossom - The "seeds" blossom into strong trees3. Celebration Harvest - There is joy at harvest time.
Choreography: Astor JohnsonMusic: Traditional African-Caribbean percussion
KYOBased on the Buddhist chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, the dance explores the universe through the elements of Earth, Wind, Water and Fire. This was the last full dance that Astor Johnson choreographed before his death in 1985. It also reflected his religion, since he had become a Buddhist in the latter part of his life.
Movements• Earth• Wind• Water• Fire
Choreography: Astor JohnsonMusic: Traditional African-Caribbean and African-Brazilian percussion.
CEREMONY OF THE DRUMBased loosely on the celebration of the “Assotor” drum of Haiti, keeper of all the secrets of the ancestors.
Choreography: Astor Johnson
Music: Traditional African-Caribbean percussion
WONDERMENTAn exploration moods using the songs of Stevie Wonder
Choreography: Astor JohnsonMusic: Stevie Wonder
MANTISThe mating ritual of the praying mantis. In order to procreate, the female must kill the male after fertilization.
Choreography: Astor JohnsonMusic: Henry Cowen; Traditional African-Caribbean percussionDesign: Astor Johnson
A SONG FOR YEMANJA (Dec. 1974)
Based on the mythological religious pantheon of the Gods of the Yoruba Orisa, the work celebrates “Yemanja”, goddess of the seas and waters. It is the feast of “Yemanja”, patron saint of the temple which she guards.1. The worshippers enter and dance in the ritual of celebration.2. The main celebrant is mystically transported by Yemanja’s horses to another realm and now she becomes Yemanja.3. The spirit leaves and the worshippers depart.
Choreography: Astor JohnsonMusic: Traditional African-Caribbean percussion Click here for a list of archived works
FUSIONA mixture of jazz styles and traditional African-Caribbean movements. Fusion is the company's signature piece.
Choreography: Astor JohnsonMusic: Live, traditional African-Caribbean percussion, originally arranged by André Tanker.
FOR BETTER OR WORSEA humorous dance mime satirizing an old-time country wedding.
Choreography: Astor JohnsonMusic: Traditional African-Caribbean percussion
SHEA trilogy on the black woman. Literally, a comment on her womanhood; historically, an overall tracing of her race from the beginning of time until now; morally, a lesson in courage.
She is Africa…out of her womb shall come the warriorsShe is Rhythm…and cannot be resistedShe is Black…She, she alone
Choreography: Astor JohnsonMusic: Traditional African-Caribbean percussion/André TankerPoem: Lasana Kwesi
GRAVEYARD FOR THE LIVINGAn essay on human isolation, set in a jail.1. The Initiation2. Dream3. Flight/Escape4. Web5. Madness and Escape/ Another Escape
Choreography: Astor Johnson
Music: Traditional
THE DANSE NEGREA medley of African-rooted folk dances
1. Manding - festive piece from the Mandingos/Ibo - brought to the West by the Ibos: the dancers simulate the movement of birds in flight, conflict and harmony;
2. Ewe-O - based more on Traditional African-Caribbean percussion neighbours consoling a bereaved woman/Broom Dance - a Traditional African-Caribbean percussion ritual is celebrated;
3. Ganga - the dancers celebrate Ogun, one of the highest "Saints" in the Yoruba hierarchy in a pre-ceremonial dance.
Choreography: Astor JohnsonMusic: Traditional African-Caribbean percussion
TRIBUTE TO A KINGAn essay on the ideas of the late Bob Marley, who died in 1981.1. Prelude2. Redemption Song3. Sorrows4. Get up, Stand up5. In celebration
Choreography: Astor JohnsonMusic. Bob Marley
AFRICA, AFRICAAn impressionistic piece which pays tribute to "Mother Africa"1. Sowing the Seed - The women clean and bless the land sowing their seeds2. The Warriors blossom - The "seeds" blossom into strong trees3. Celebration Harvest - There is joy at harvest time.
Choreography: Astor JohnsonMusic: Traditional African-Caribbean percussion
KYOBased on the Buddhist chant Nam Myoho Renge Kyo, the dance explores the universe through the elements of Earth, Wind, Water and Fire. This was the last full dance that Astor Johnson choreographed before his death in 1985. It also reflected his religion, since he had become a Buddhist in the latter part of his life.
Movements• Earth• Wind• Water• Fire
Choreography: Astor JohnsonMusic: Traditional African-Caribbean and African-Brazilian percussion.
CEREMONY OF THE DRUMBased loosely on the celebration of the “Assotor” drum of Haiti, keeper of all the secrets of the ancestors.
Choreography: Astor Johnson
Music: Traditional African-Caribbean percussion
WONDERMENTAn exploration moods using the songs of Stevie Wonder
Choreography: Astor JohnsonMusic: Stevie Wonder
MANTISThe mating ritual of the praying mantis. In order to procreate, the female must kill the male after fertilization.
Choreography: Astor JohnsonMusic: Henry Cowen; Traditional African-Caribbean percussionDesign: Astor Johnson
A SONG FOR YEMANJA (Dec. 1974)
Based on the mythological religious pantheon of the Gods of the Yoruba Orisa, the work celebrates “Yemanja”, goddess of the seas and waters. It is the feast of “Yemanja”, patron saint of the temple which she guards.1. The worshippers enter and dance in the ritual of celebration.2. The main celebrant is mystically transported by Yemanja’s horses to another realm and now she becomes Yemanja.3. The spirit leaves and the worshippers depart.
Choreography: Astor JohnsonMusic: Traditional African-Caribbean percussion Click here for a list of archived works