[NEohioPAL]For Immediate Release: In Search of a Queen

[Wakeup4664 at aol.com]

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Contact:=A0=A0 Jewel Jackson, Artistic Director
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 (216) 224-5409=20
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Sue Johnson, Director =A0=A0=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=20
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 (216) 561-8608

For Immediate Release


Jali Madi Kanute, Master Griot of the Gamiba, West Africa, and Mouminatou=20
Camara, Former Principal Dancer for Ballets Africain=A0 are Showcase Artists=
 for=20
7th Annual Midwest African Dance Conference.


Sista Jewel's African Soul Dance Theater hosts the 7th Annual Midwest Africa=
n=20
Dance Conference, Friday, May 28th, Saturday, May 29th, and Sunday, May=20
30th.=A0 This mega-dance event, produced and presented by African Soul Dance=
 Theater,=20
Jewel Jackson, Artistic Director, enjoyed the benefit of collaborating with=20
Michael Medcalf, Artistic Director, Cleveland Contempory Dance Theater=A0 an=
d=20
SAFMOD.=20

The Conference features special Guest Appearances by Jali Madi Kanute,=20
President of the Mandinka Music Society; Mouminatou Camara, former principal=
 dancer=20
for the Ballets Africains; Danita Harris, News Anchor, WEWS and Peter Lawson=
=20
Jones, Cuyahoga County Commissioner.

Jali Madi Kanute, is master Griot of The Gambia, West Africa.=A0 It is the=20
Kanuteh family that gave the oral history of Kunta Kinte to Alex Haley in hi=
s=20
research for the book and movie, Roots.=A0 Jali Madi Kanuteh is an internati=
onally=20
renowned historian and artist, and is the President of the Mandinka Music=20
Society.

Mouminatou Camara, who danced with the internationally renowned Ballets=20
Africains for over 15 years, will be one of the guest artists who lead the d=
ance=20
workshops and Master dance classes.

Danita Harris and Peter Lawson Jones, both actively involved in the arts=20
community, will welcome the audience to the grand performance of In Search o=
f a=20
Queen and speak on the importance of community support for sustaining=20
African-American theatre arts organizations, such as the African Dance Theat=
er.

This 3-day spectacular African Dance, Drum & Theatre Experience features=20
national and international Guest Artists Fode Moussa Camara, Maguette Camara=
,=20
Mouminatou Camara, Wayne Chandler, Karen Clark-Keys, Ishmael Douglas, Rich F=
aye,=20
Alioune Faye, Mamadou Gnigue,=A0 Hawa Kanute, Jali Madi Kanuteh,. Omoisegun=20
"Shay" Naida, and Cheik N'dong who will present their Master Dance and Drum=20
Workshops at the Masonic Temple, 3615 Euclid Avenue.

The opening Conference session begins with an intensive, 3-hour class that=20
students can come to for credit, where, in addition to taking the dance clas=
s,=20
they will be given a historical perspective about the dance and instruments=20
used.=A0 This class will be followed by other workshops that are enriching a=
nd=20
educational for all participants. Whereas the Conference focused on professi=
onal=20
dancers in previous years, this year, the emphasis will focus on bringing=20
together the entire community, which includes the churches.

On Sunday, May 30th, 7:30 PM, the award-winning African Soul Dance Theatre=20
presents the Grand Performance of In Search of a Queen at the Allen Theatre,=
=20
Playhouse Square Center.

Directed by Sue Johnson, assisted by Anita Banks, and Jewel Jackson,=20
Choreographer,=20
In Search of a Queen is a Musical that takes you through the church and back=
=20
to Africa through the richness of African Drumming, Dancing, Hip-hop and=20
Gospel Music as Prince Babukar searches for a wife to become his future Quee=
n.=A0=20
This year's production promises to be one of the most rewarding and inspirat=
ional=20
experiences.

The African-American church will have a place of prominence in this=20
production of=20
In Search of a Queen as well as the entire conference, because Jackson=20
believes that "Our churches have been the cornerstone of our community.=A0 T=
herefore,=20
audiences will see the historical connection to that process.=A0 Each dance=20=
is a=20
spiritual representation of some communal event, the dances are liturgical,=20
there are people who just don't know their meanings.=A0 That's what this eve=
nt is=20
for, to dispel the myth of the 'ooga-booga' dances and to tell the stories=20
that haven't been told . . . through the dance."

The ensemble cast includes some of Cleveland's favorite and veteran actors,=20
Yvetta Eley, Khalel Hakim,=A0 Van Jackson, Marvin L. Mallory, David Monroe,=20=
Ngina=20
Fayola, Mike Orlando, Norma Jean Powell, Rashimba,=A0 Diane Scott, Will Warr=
en,=20
Rick Williams, and Shanti Wyatt.

Throughout the weekend, Vendors coming as far away as Louisiana, will displa=
y=20
their wares which reflect the African culture through jewelry, crafts, fine=20
and visual arts, food, authentic African garments & fashion.

Jackson states that, "Through my travels, I saw the positive impact events=20
similar to the Midwest African Conference were having in various communities=
.=A0=20
That's why I felt it was important to start this event, because I knew that=20
educating others about the traditions of Africa could uplift our community h=
ere=20
in the same way.=A0 We're holding the event over Memorial Day weekend, as a=20
commemoration of the cultural legacy that the African-American ancestors wer=
e=20
forced to abandon."


Tickets are now available for All Workshops & the Grand Performance of=20
In Search of a Queen.=A0=20

Call (216) 241-6000 to order tickets.

Fees:=A0=A0=A0=A0 Master Dance & Drum Classes
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 . Individual classes:=A0 $12/class in adva=
nce, $15. at door
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 . Groups of 10 or more: $10/class, advance=
 registration, only
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 . Full package:=A0 (10 classes.=A0 Profess=
ional Development=20
workshops, performance=20
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 and official T-shirt, $125. in advan=
ce, or $150. at door)

Admission:=A0 In Search of a Queen
. Performance only, Allen Theatre: $15 - $35.00

For further information call (216) 451-SOUL (7685)

www.africansouldance.org (registration & hotel available online)=20
sistajewel at msn.com

In Search of a Queen Tickets: call (216) 241-6000
visit www.playhousesquare.com

for group discounts, call (216) 771-1444

Our official hotel is: Holiday Inn
1111 Lakeside
1-800-Holiday
Rate per night: $69.=A0 Up to 4 per room
Reserve before May 10th

Vendor space is limited.=A0 Call (216) 451-SOUL (7685)

The 7th Annual Midwest African Dance Conference, Cleveland, OH
Presented through the Generous Support of The George Gund Foundation,=20
Playhouse Square Foundation Education Department, Young Audiences of Greater=
=20
Cleveland, J.S. Smalls & Associates, The Cleveland Municipal School District








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<HTML><FONT FACE=3Darial,helvetica><HTML><FONT  SIZE=3D2 PTSIZE=3D10 FAMILY=
=3D"SANSSERIF" FACE=3D"Arial" LANG=3D"0"><B>Contact:=A0</B>=A0 Jewel Jackson=
, <I>Artistic Director</I><BR>
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 (216) 224-5409 <BR>
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 Sue Johnson, <I>Director </I>=
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 <BR>
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 (216) 561-8608<BR>
<BR>
<P ALIGN=3DCENTER><B><U>For Immediate Release<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<P ALIGN=3DLEFT></U>Jali Madi Kanute, Master Griot of the Gamiba, West Afric=
a, and Mouminatou Camara, Former Principal Dancer for Ballets Africain=A0 ar=
e Showcase Artists for 7th Annual Midwest African Dance Conference.</B><BR>
<BR>
<BR>
Sista Jewel's African Soul Dance Theater hosts the 7th Annual Midwest Africa=
n Dance Conference, Friday, May 28th, Saturday, May 29th, and Sunday, May 30=
th.=A0 This mega-dance event, produced and presented by African Soul Dance T=
heater, Jewel Jackson, Artistic Director, enjoyed the benefit of collaborati=
ng with Michael Medcalf, Artistic Director, Cleveland Contempory Dance Theat=
er=A0 and SAFMOD. <BR>
<BR>
The Conference features special Guest Appearances by Jali Madi Kanute, Presi=
dent of the Mandinka Music Society; Mouminatou Camara, former principal danc=
er for the Ballets Africains; Danita Harris, News Anchor, WEWS and Peter Law=
son Jones, Cuyahoga County Commissioner.<BR>
<BR>
Jali Madi Kanute, is master Griot of The Gambia, West Africa.=A0 It is the K=
anuteh family that gave the oral history of Kunta Kinte to Alex Haley in his=
 research for the book and movie, Roots.=A0 Jali Madi Kanuteh is an internat=
ionally renowned historian and artist, and is the President of the Mandinka=20=
Music Society.<BR>
<BR>
Mouminatou Camara, who danced with the internationally renowned Ballets Afri=
cains for over 15 years, will be one of the guest artists who lead the dance=
 workshops and Master dance classes.<BR>
<BR>
Danita Harris and Peter Lawson Jones, both actively involved in the arts com=
munity, will welcome the audience to the grand performance of In Search of a=
 Queen and speak on the importance of community support for sustaining Afric=
an-American theatre arts organizations, such as the African Dance Theater.<B=
R>
<BR>
This 3-day spectacular African Dance, Drum & Theatre Experience features=
 national and international Guest Artists Fode Moussa Camara, Maguette Camar=
a, Mouminatou Camara, Wayne Chandler, Karen Clark-Keys, Ishmael Douglas, Ric=
h Faye, Alioune Faye, Mamadou Gnigue,=A0 Hawa Kanute, Jali Madi Kanuteh,. Om=
oisegun "Shay" Naida, and Cheik N'dong who will present their Master Dance a=
nd Drum Workshops at the Masonic Temple, 3615 Euclid Avenue.<BR>
<BR>
The opening Conference session begins with an intensive, 3-hour class that s=
tudents can come to for credit, where, in addition to taking the dance class=
, they will be given a historical perspective about the dance and instrument=
s used.=A0 This class will be followed by other workshops that are enriching=
 and educational for all participants. Whereas the Conference focused on pro=
fessional dancers in previous years, this year, the emphasis will focus on b=
ringing together the entire community, which includes the churches.<BR>
<BR>
On Sunday, May 30th, 7:30 PM, the award-winning African Soul Dance Theatre p=
resents the Grand Performance of <I>In Search of a Queen </I>at the Allen Th=
eatre, Playhouse Square Center.<BR>
<BR>
Directed by Sue Johnson, assisted by Anita Banks, and Jewel Jackson, Choreog=
rapher, <BR>
<I>In Search of a Queen i</I>s a Musical that takes you through the church a=
nd back to Africa through the richness of African Drumming, Dancing, Hip-hop=
 and Gospel Music as Prince Babukar searches for a wife to become his future=
 Queen.=A0 This year's production promises to be one of the most rewarding a=
nd inspirational experiences.<BR>
<BR>
The African-American church will have a place of prominence in this producti=
on of <BR>
<I>In Search</I> <I>of a Queen </I>as well as the entire conference, because=
 Jackson believes that "Our churches have been the cornerstone of our commun=
ity.=A0 Therefore, audiences will see the historical connection to that proc=
ess.=A0 Each dance is a spiritual representation of some communal event, the=
 dances are liturgical, there are people who just don't know their meanings.=
=A0 That's what this event is for, to dispel the myth of the 'ooga-booga' da=
nces and to tell the stories that haven't been told . . . through the dance.=
"<BR>
<BR>
The ensemble cast includes some of Cleveland's favorite and veteran actors,=20=
Yvetta Eley, Khalel Hakim,=A0 Van Jackson, Marvin L. Mallory, David Monroe,=20=
Ngina Fayola, Mike Orlando, Norma Jean Powell, Rashimba,=A0 Diane Scott, Wil=
l Warren, Rick Williams, and Shanti Wyatt.<BR>
<BR>
Throughout the weekend, Vendors coming as far away as Louisiana, will displa=
y their wares which reflect the African culture through jewelry, crafts, fin=
e and visual arts, food, authentic African garments & fashion.<BR>
<BR>
Jackson states that, "Through my travels, I saw the positive impact events s=
imilar to the Midwest African Conference were having in various communities.=
=A0 That's why I felt it was important to start this event, because I knew t=
hat educating others about the traditions of Africa could uplift our communi=
ty here in the same way.=A0 We're holding the event over Memorial Day weeken=
d, as a commemoration of the cultural legacy that the African-American ances=
tors were forced to abandon."<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
Tickets are now available for All Workshops & the Grand Performance of <=
BR>
<I>In Search of a Queen.=A0 <BR>
</I><BR>
Call (216) 241-6000 to order tickets.<BR>
<BR>
Fees:=A0=A0=A0=A0 Master Dance & Drum Classes<BR>
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 . Individual classes:=A0 $12/class in adva=
nce, $15. at door<BR>
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 . Groups of 10 or more: $10/class, advance=
 registration, only<BR>
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 . Full package:=A0 (10 classes.=A0 Profess=
ional Development workshops, performance <BR>
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0 and official T-shirt, $125. in advan=
ce, or $150. at door)<BR>
<BR>
Admission:=A0 <I>In Search of a Queen</I><BR>
. Performance only, Allen Theatre: $15 - $35.00<BR>
<BR>
For further information call (216) 451-SOUL (7685)<BR>
<BR>
www.africansouldance.org (registration & hotel available online) sistaje=
wel at msn.com<BR>
<BR>
In Search of a Queen Tickets: call (216) 241-6000<BR>
visit www.playhousesquare.com<BR>
<BR>
for group discounts, call (216) 771-1444<BR>
<BR>
Our official hotel is: Holiday Inn<BR>
1111 Lakeside<BR>
1-800-Holiday<BR>
Rate per night: $69.=A0 Up to 4 per room<BR>
Reserve before May 10th<BR>
<BR>
Vendor space is limited.=A0 Call (216) 451-SOUL (7685)<BR>
<BR>
The 7th Annual Midwest African Dance Conference, Cleveland, OH<BR>
Presented through the Generous Support of The George Gund Foundation, Playho=
use Square Foundation Education Department, Young Audiences of Greater Cleve=
land, J.S. Smalls & Associates, The Cleveland Municipal School District<=
BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
<BR>
</P></P></FONT></HTML>
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