On April 16, 1969, the UAlbany Performing Arts Center officially opened its doors. In celebration of this golden anniversary, there will be a free performance by Saakumu, a dance and drum ensemble from Ghana, on that same date fifty years later. The performance is open to the public and will take place on Tuesday, April 16, 2019 at 7pm. A reception for the artists and the audience will follow in the Performing Arts Center’s lounge.
Saakumu means traditions and, as the name implies, the company derives its repertoire from a variety of both traditional and contemporary cultures. Driven by a passion for bringing innovative dances and world music to their audiences, the company is one of the leading dance and music groups in Ghana, West Africa. Created by master musician Bernard Woma, the group will perform from their repertoire of spiritual, ceremonial, traditional and contemporary African dance accompanied by live music that is joyful, expressive and highly participatory.
Marking their twelfth tour of the United States, the company will be in the country from February through April. In addition to their visit to UAlbany, they will also be appearing at Alfred University, Buffalo State University, Villa Maria College, University of Missouri and SUNY Fredonia. On previous U.S. tours, the company has had stops at New York University, Indiana University, Berklee College of Music, Colorado State University, Eastman School of Music, Akron University, Goddard College, Hamlin University, Concordia College, Northern Michigan University and Babson College, among others.
Admission is free and no tickets are required. For further information, contact the Box Office at (518) 442-3997 or visit the Performing Arts Center website at www.albany.edu/pac.
In addition to the public performance, there will also be a free performance for high school groups at 10am on Tuesday, April 16. Educators wishing to bring groups can contact the UAlbany Performing Arts Center office at (518) 442-5738 or PAC@albany.edu to make reservations.
As part of its community engagement efforts, the Performing Arts Center will also bring the performers to Abram Lansing Elementary School in Cohoes on Monday, April 15 for a 1:30pm performance in the school’s auditorium for the 450 students in grades preK through five.