Residency and Outreach Activities
Tshibangu Kadima arranges the choreography and conducts unique, educational and entertainingworkshops
in USA about Soukous Music in Schools, colleges, libraries,
universities and at specialevents such as Kwaanza, Black History Month,
Spring Break, Concerts and Festivals.
Audiences Served
School children, Teens, Youth-at-risk, Elders, Immigrant populations, General public, Adults, Families
Languages Performed (Other than English):
French, Spanish, Lingala, Tshiluba, Swahili and Kikongo
Grade Levels Served:
7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, Higher Education, Adult Education
Awards
Rumbafrica won the Boston Music Awards in the category of Outstanding World Music Act in 1995
and won an award for Outstanding World Music Act at the Artscape’97 Festival in Baltimore, MD.
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Workshop Content
Many presenters of music and students in the USA and CANADA do not know
much about African music and dances or about what is happening in other parts
of the world. For Example, many do not
know that Africa is not a country, but is actually comprised of Independent nations,
each with its own government, cultural heritage, music and dance styles, dress
codes and languages, and including several different races, including
Arabs.
We have created RUMBAFRICA in order to present music and
dances from
divers part of Africa sharing in the rich diversity that the African
cultures
offer the world. Since Music and Fashion go side to side, We present
shows that
incorporate dancers, storytelling, fashion representing diversity of
African costumes. We touch briefly on geography, history, political
and social structures of the country represented by the song, dance or
costume.
Pictures worth thousands of words, we have include videos and
pictures on our website for your evaluation.
We are very interested in providing to your audience an educational and
entertaining experience that will last life time. Website: www.rumbafrica.com
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RUMBAFRICA BIOGRAPHY
Rumbafrica was founded in 1992 by Tshibangu Kadima, who was born in Lubumbashi in Congo. Kadima came to the U.S. originally to study Computer Engineering and graduated from Northeastern University. He introduced New England to SOUKOUS music. The Boston-based group performs music and dance combining rhythms of traditional Congolese rumba (a variant of the Cuban rumba) with the modern non-stop soukous beat. Kadima composes and writes the troupe’s songs and choreographs their dance. Their repertoire includes songs in French, Swahili, Tshiluba and English and reflects Kadima’s hopeful vision of life and his prayer for positive change in Congo. Kadima songs convey a message of peace.
He conducts entertaining and educational workshops in schools and universities around the country. Rumbafrica is the Boston area’s premier dance band and has received numerous awards including the Boston Music Awards for Outstanding World Music Act in 1995 and an Award at Artscap 97 Festival in Baltimore MD for Outstanding World Music Act.
Rumbafrica has been selected for listing in the Massachusetts Touring Roster. Presenters will be eligible to apply to receive fee support for the band. To find out the guideline and deadline call (617) 951-0010 or visit: www.nefa.org Presenters from other New England states are eligible to apply for fee support through the New England States Touring program, which is also administrated by New England Foundation for the Arts. Here is very important website about rumbafrica: http://www.creativeground
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Education of Audience about Traditional and Contemporary Music and Dances
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Our
performers educate the audience about African Traditional and
Contemporary music and dances, about the relationship between rhythms
and movements, emphasizing how to hear the different parts of the
rhythms, the body movements with which they are associated and the
accurate timing of their integration. The audience discovers models
that can dance well.
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