REACH PERFORMING ARTS CENTER SUPPORTS AFRICAN STUDIES THEME

African dance, drums, and song continue to resonate inside the Reach Performing Arts Center as a series of talented performing artists continue to enhance the elementary school’s exploration of sub-Saharan Africa. Workshops, performances, and residencies have involved students at all grade levels, K-8, as well as some of our neighboring peninsula schools, and adult members of our island community.

The “Bamidele African Dancers and Drummers” provided an energized and colorful January “kick off” to the African Studies Theme. In addition to our own students, children from Sedgwick, Brooklin, and Blue Hill danced, drummed, and chanted on the Reach stage. Interaction with this professional company was equally engaging for the adults who attended a lively community performance. The Reach Performing Arts Center is grateful to the school union’s “Arts in Education” committee for their help and support with this worthwhile program.

Twanda Chabikwa, an African drummer and dancer who grew up in Zimbabwe, orchestrated a week long residency for students in grades 6-8. Many students were familiar with Twanda’s talents from their experiences at the Reach’s summer Arts Camp and eagerly responded to his dance and instrumental interpretations of African stories and myths. Each middle school class demonstrated what they had learned at the end of the residency by performing on the Reach stage to a highly motivated audience.

Another African arts opportunity involved students in grades 3-5 as they participated in an African residency with “Baba Kevin”. His expertise in African music and movement created an additional, exciting arts experience for our elementary school students that culminated in a performance on February 8.
There is no end to the many African cultural opportunities for our students. Len Cabral, “African Story Teller”, will appear on March 19 at the Reach Performing Arts Center and in the DISES library to weave his stories through workshops and performances.

Students in grades K-2 are working with Mr. Gray on a short mini-musical, the “Unity Tree”, which they will perform in the near future. From the very beginning of their school experience, our youngest students begin to explore the many rich performing arts opportunities made possible by the presence of the Reach Performing Arts Center. Integrating the arts with the school curriculum, as our students are learning with the African Studies theme, is a positive, meaningful experience for everyone.

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