Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater
Oluyinka Akinjiola, Founder/Artistic Director created an ensemble of multi dimensional dancers and musicians that looks at tradition through a contemporary lens bridging our vast history with our complex present. Rejoice! weaves dances of the African Diaspora, storytelling and live music to navigate through issues relevant to today's world.
Oluyinka Akinjiola, Founder/Artistic Director created an ensemble of multi dimensional dancers and musicians that looks at tradition through a contemporary lens bridging our vast history with our complex present. Rejoice! weaves dances of the African Diaspora, storytelling and live music to navigate through issues relevant to today's world.
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Vote Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater under Arts & Culture
The time has come and we need your help again. It takes your votes to get us on the list. We made it to the finals last year. http://www.wweek.com/best-of-portland-2018/#/ Rejoice! Upcoming Performance
April 21 Central Library Collins Gallery || Free to the Public! multcolib.org/events/our-story-uprise-body-choreographic-works/85913 April 27-29 Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center June 15-16 Premier by Decimus Yarbrough|| New Expressive Works |
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UPRISE
April 27-29, 2018 the Interstate Firehouse Cultural Center BUY TICKETS https://upriseatifcc.bpt.me "powerful reminder of self responsibility in our collective experience" Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater presents UPRISE an evening of choreographic premiers by Oluyinka Akinjiola, Michael Galen and Jamie Minkus. UPRISE features a body of choreographic works addressing power, oppression, and community. Inspired by Angela Davis’ desire to see liberation movements become intersectional, we are bringing expression to the many ways race, class, culture, and history influence power.Funding and support from the Regional Arts and Culture Council and the Oregon Arts Commission. “There is a reclaiming of power when we value aesthetics from the African Diaspora. Our bodies and our stories are inseparably political.” Oluyinka Akinjiola, Artistic Director Stay connected by joining our mailing list by e-mailing rejoicediasporadancetheater@gmail.com ***Our latest updates are posted on our Facebook page** From the Audience
"Despite rough times, reminding me of the joy and hope available in my everyday existence" "This performance helped move my anxiety and sadness of the current poltical environment into the creative energy you made. It felt healing and made me feel amped to help create change." "a strange beauty in grief... Say a name" "This show is important" |
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Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater is HIRING
Part-Time Administrative Support Apply by May 10, 2018 Rejoice! is currently seeking an energetic and self-motivated individual who is interested in helping expand and enhance the company under the direction of Oluyinka Akinjiola, Artistic Director/Founder. Rejoice! is currently accepting applications for a part-time, independent contractor to fill the Administrative & Operations Support position. For details and requirements, please read the below job description. Position Description: Administrative support position will directly support the Artistic Director in the weekly duties of maintaining Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater. Your imprint will be on the structuring and shaping of the company. We are seeking a responsible and accountable individual with administrative experience and a strong understanding of the performing arts. Desired skills include: strong time management (ability to meet deadlines efficiently), knowledge of management systems (ie. QuickBooks, excel, Google Calendars, creating invoices, basic computer systems), and strong communications skills (interpersonal, e-mail, phone, and timely responsiveness).This individual should be able to work remotely with bi/weekly check-ins. Must have access to internet and printer. Primary Duties include
1. Cover letter stating your qualifications and familiarity with the performing arts, either as a volunteer or employee, and an explanation of qualifications pertaining to this position’s duties and requirements. 2. Resume indicating relevant qualifications and experience. 3. Two references, including current telephone numbers and email addresses. Please send all applications to rejociediasporadancetheater@gmail.com with the subject heading “Administrative Support Application.” This position is open until filled, however, interested applicants are strongly encouraged to submit by May 10, 2018. |
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Contemporary Folklore by Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater
written by Oluyinka Akinjiola
Performance: June 18, 2016
— TEDxMtHood is honored to introduce Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater as one of our 2016 performers. —
Contemporary folklore = Contemporary: the freedom of breaking away from traditional structures and blending dance techniques + Folklore: maintaining a connectedness to people, stories, history and ancestry.
We are Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater – an ensemble of multi-dimensional dancers and musicians under the artistic direction of Oluyinka Akinjiola. We look at tradition through a contemporary lens, bridging our vast history with our complex present. Using folkloric movement as a basis of communication to our immediate surroundings, Rejoice! weaves movement and music of the past and present with an underlying narrative for powerful storytelling. We navigate through modern day issues and current topics that are steeped through generations.
Rejoice! is made up of many voices. We believe an artistic community and environment is collaborative. Everyone in Rejoice! has amazing and diverse strengths, and we complement each other so incredibly well. Choreographically, Rejoice! is created collaboratively with the dancers. When everyone is invested in the creative process, a higher purpose is served and allows everyone to invest and engage with the work more. The traditional power-structure of choreographer vs. dancer is shifting, and a new culture of collaboration within a dance company is becoming the norm. The first piece we will bring to the TEDxMtHood stage exhibits just that.
“Phenomenally” was created in tribute to Dr. Maya Angelou soon after she passed. The work honors Angelou’s contribution to the arts, humanity and women. The excerpt that will be shown is set to the poem “Phenomenal Woman.” From the sounds of our voices to the curves of our hips, we celebrate individuality and community. Woven in to Angelou’s words is a vocabulary of folkloric and contemporary movement from the African Diaspora and Brazilian samba.
Following “Phenomenally” will be “Growing Pains.” This piece illustrates inter-generational tension and the inevitability of cultural evolution. Vernacular jazz movements mixed with contemporary house dance movements demonstrate the evolutionary thread of American street dance since the early 1900’s. This is similarly represented in the music, mixing jazz and house. Within the constant ebb and flow of tension and release lies the struggle older generations have had with attachments to how things should be done, while the youth step away from tradition to innovate.
Rejoice! is excited to bring this contemporary folklore to the TEDxMtHood stage June 18, with original works choreographed by Oluyinka Akinjiola and Michael Galen.
written by Oluyinka Akinjiola
Performance: June 18, 2016
— TEDxMtHood is honored to introduce Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater as one of our 2016 performers. —
Contemporary folklore = Contemporary: the freedom of breaking away from traditional structures and blending dance techniques + Folklore: maintaining a connectedness to people, stories, history and ancestry.
We are Rejoice! Diaspora Dance Theater – an ensemble of multi-dimensional dancers and musicians under the artistic direction of Oluyinka Akinjiola. We look at tradition through a contemporary lens, bridging our vast history with our complex present. Using folkloric movement as a basis of communication to our immediate surroundings, Rejoice! weaves movement and music of the past and present with an underlying narrative for powerful storytelling. We navigate through modern day issues and current topics that are steeped through generations.
Rejoice! is made up of many voices. We believe an artistic community and environment is collaborative. Everyone in Rejoice! has amazing and diverse strengths, and we complement each other so incredibly well. Choreographically, Rejoice! is created collaboratively with the dancers. When everyone is invested in the creative process, a higher purpose is served and allows everyone to invest and engage with the work more. The traditional power-structure of choreographer vs. dancer is shifting, and a new culture of collaboration within a dance company is becoming the norm. The first piece we will bring to the TEDxMtHood stage exhibits just that.
“Phenomenally” was created in tribute to Dr. Maya Angelou soon after she passed. The work honors Angelou’s contribution to the arts, humanity and women. The excerpt that will be shown is set to the poem “Phenomenal Woman.” From the sounds of our voices to the curves of our hips, we celebrate individuality and community. Woven in to Angelou’s words is a vocabulary of folkloric and contemporary movement from the African Diaspora and Brazilian samba.
Following “Phenomenally” will be “Growing Pains.” This piece illustrates inter-generational tension and the inevitability of cultural evolution. Vernacular jazz movements mixed with contemporary house dance movements demonstrate the evolutionary thread of American street dance since the early 1900’s. This is similarly represented in the music, mixing jazz and house. Within the constant ebb and flow of tension and release lies the struggle older generations have had with attachments to how things should be done, while the youth step away from tradition to innovate.
Rejoice! is excited to bring this contemporary folklore to the TEDxMtHood stage June 18, with original works choreographed by Oluyinka Akinjiola and Michael Galen.
