Rhapsodys
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Rhapsodys Revue History
Female
42 years old
MARIETTA, Georgia
United States
Last Login: 8/9/2008
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Rhapsodys's Interests
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| Music | Socially conscious music |
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Rhapsodys's Details
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| Status: | Single | | Zodiac Sign: | Leo |
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Rhapsodys's Networking
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Dance - Performance - Modern Dance
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Rhapsody’s signature piece, the Bele dance, incorporated music and movement reminiscent of the traditions slaves brought from Africa to the Caribbean. During slavery in the Caribbean and South Americas, the dances for the courts and elegant salons of
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Theatre - Drama - Other
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Poems from the Harlem Renaissance period were eloquently presented, including poems by Langston Hughes and Paul Laurence Dunbar and our contemporary poet Maya Angelou.
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Rhapsodys's Latest Blog Entry
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RhapsodysRevue
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Rhapsody's Revue - Robert, July 5
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Rhapsody's Revue - Rona & John, July 5
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Rhapsodys's Blurbs |
About me:
In the fall of 1989, seven young women – students at Duquesne University, formed the group Rhapsody Performance Ensemble. They brought together a diverse mix of talents from the African Diaspora in a performance theme known as Negritude Celebration. The group, active from 1989-1994, regularly performed at universities in Pittsburgh and states surrounding. Rhapsody’s repertoire included both African and Afro-Caribbean dance as well as modern and jazz dance forms, and classical and contemporary poetry presented as spoken word. All around Pittsburgh, the ensemble was affectionately known as the “black dancers” from Duquesne and was considered “mini-ambassadors” during the years the group was at the university.
Négritude is a literary and political movement developed in the 1930’s by ethnic activists. They believed that the shared black heritage of members of the African Diaspora was the best tool to maintaining individual identity and self-awareness in the sea of European persuasion. In the U.S. the movement was influenced by the Harlem Renaissance , and particularly evident in the works of African-American writers Langston Hughes and Richard Wright. Negritude Celebration premiered on February 19, 1990 and featured the lively arts of dance, song and poetry. By educating and inspiring the community, this sold out performance became Rhapsody’s principal lineup.
Since Rhapsody’s first performance, the ensemble was featured at cultural
celebrations, private functions, church gatherings, community rallies, and international banquets. Rhapsody’s signature piece, the Bele dance, incorporated music and movement reminiscent of the traditions slaves brought from Africa to the Caribbean. During slavery in the Caribbean and South Americas, the dances for the courts and elegant salons of Europe, Spain, France and England became popular and were imitated by the slaves. This mix of cultural styles is the essence of the Afro-Caribbean dance piece, which blends altogether dance and music influences from many Caribbean islands.
What is more, Rhapsody was vital to the formation of Dynasty – a group of young performers at Carrick High School in Pittsburgh. Dynasty accompanied Rhapsody on stage during many performances. Through the arts, Rhapsody influenced these teenagers to excel pass their physical boundaries to worlds beyond their neighborhoods. Other noted performers to have shared the stage with Rhapsody include Umoja African Music Ensemble, Elie Kihonia - artistic director of Afrika Yetu, accomplished conductor and lecturer
Dr. Jean Montès, and Wayne Walters - professional steel pan musician and master educator.
Rhapsody’s founding members were Adeline Artsen, Raquel Hairston, Rona Roberts, Beatrice Saba, Chanel Smith, Torrez Washington, and Skylor Wingate. The energy that vibrates still today from the original troop has created
Rhapsody’s Revue, LLC.
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Who I'd like to meet:
Socially conscious people
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| Rhapsodys's Friend Space (Top 6) |
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