February 24-26, 2017
Artistic Director: Michelle Bach-Coulibaly. Festival Producer: Kah Yangni.
The Rhythm of Change festival supported the exchange of art and ideas between transnational art-makers, social activists, and embodied ideologies to address gaps in understanding, consciousness and social action.
Rhythm of Change is an initiative that emerged from 28 years of Mande West African Dance as a historical and embodied study at Brown University. Since its inception in 1989, Brown’s program has pioneered the study of Mande performance; it is now a transnational program with a research center in Mali and has served over 2000 students from around the globe.
The Rhythm of Change Festival 2017 partnered with FirstWorks, Rennie Harris and Puremovement, Troupe Yeredon, Dr. Daniel Banks, Dr. Tricia Rose, and artists from Mali to NYC to engage with students and the larger community in ceremony, performances, discussions, and workshops.
Highlights for the weekend included dazzling performances with award winning choreographer Dr. Rennie Harris and his troupe Puremovement, which the New York Times called “seemingly without a semblance of gravity.” We enjoyed a hip hop breakfast and roundtable featuring hip hop scholars Dr. Daniel Banks and Dr. Tricia Rose in conversation with hip hop artists. Master classes will be given in Breakdancing Fundamentals, Vogue Femme, West African drumming, and dance from artists all over the world. Sunday’s schedule included HeartSmile meditation and mindfulness, youth workshops, and an all-day Art of Rhythmix Jam curated by RawKin’ Rhythmix.
