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Dare Arts and the Don and Catharine Bryan Cultural Series have been working together to bring the Saakumu Dance Troupe from Ghana to the Outer Banks, and in May the community residency that has been almost a year in the making will come to fruition.

“We are thrilled to invite the Outer Banks community to experience the vibrant artistry of the Saakumu Dance Troupe,” said Bob Muller, co-chair of the Don and Catharine Bryan Cultural Series. “From First Friday in downtown Manteo to the public performance at the Duck Amphitheater, and appearances at Artrageous and KidsFest, these events offer dynamic opportunities for cultural connection and celebration. We’re grateful to the Outer Banks Community Foundation, Dare Arts, and the Children & Youth Partnership for helping make this rich and joyful exchange possible for audiences of all ages.”

Driven by a passion for bringing innovative dances and world music to their audiences, the Saakumu Dance Troupe will arrive on the Outer Banks in May for a week-long residency to share traditional and contemporary Ghanaian dance and music, noted a Dare Arts news release.

“Saakumu is recognized as one of the leading cultural performing troupes in Ghana and abroad. They began touring Africa and the United States in 2008 in collaboration with Griffin Brady and the Slyboots School of Music, Art & Dance,” stated the release.

“Saakumu Dance Troupe’s residency on the Outer Banks is a celebration of culture, rhythm, and connection,” said ethnomusicologist, educator and performer Griffin Brady.  “At our community performances, audiences can expect a vibrant and immersive experience—live drumming, traditional and contemporary African dance, and heartfelt storytelling that bridges continents and generations.”

The Saakumu Dance Troupe’s scheduled public performances on the Outer Banks are:
· Friday, May 2: Dare Arts’ Courtyard during First Friday 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: The Artrageous Kids Art Festival at Dowdy Park in Nags Head at 10:15 a.m. and 12:45 p.m.

“Children & Youth Partnership for Dare County (CYP) is thrilled to be partnering with Dare Arts and the Bryan Cultural Series to have the Saakumu Dance Troupe at our KidsFest,” said CYP education and program evaluation manager Carla Heppert. “Through this collaboration, the children, families, and child care providers that are in attendance at KidsFest will also have a cultural experience.”

Outside of their public performances, the Saakumu Dance Troupe will be visiting Kitty Hawk Elementary School, First Flight Elementary School, Nags Head Elementary School, Manteo Elementary School and Cape Hatteras Elementary and Secondary schools.

“During our visits to Dare County Schools, students will not only learn about Ghanaian music and dance, but also the cultural significance behind the rhythms, movements and instruments,” added Griffin. “It’s an unforgettable opportunity to engage with world-class artists and expand cultural understanding through the universal language of music.”

Each school will have a performance followed by an opportunity for students to engage with the Saakumu Dance Troupe.

“Providing our students with immersive experiences in the arts and global culture is essential to helping them grow as compassionate, curious, and creative thinkers,” said Dare County Schools director of elementary education Caitlin Spruill. “The Saakumu Dance Troupe’s visit will give our students a powerful opportunity to connect with the rhythms, stories, and traditions of Ghana in a way that was joyful and deeply meaningful. We are incredibly grateful to Dare Arts and the Bryan Cultural Series for partnering with us to make this residency possible.”

Saakumu will also lead three different workshops with members of the Outer Banks Dementia Friendly Coalition and Monarch Beach Club through Dare Arts’ Power of Art program.

The Saakumu Dance Troupe’s residency is supported by the Outer Banks Community Foundation, the Town of Manteo and Outer Banks Health.

This project is sponsored by the Outer Banks Visitors Bureau and supported by the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Natural & Cultural Resources.

For more information on the public performances, go to DareArts.org or BryanCulturalSeries.org or call 252-473-5558.

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