The glamorous events of the Delou Africa Dance Ensemble are famous for the unique presentation of traditional music and tribal dance cultures in the heart of Miami. The team of the artist-in-residence will perform West African dance and drum techniques and Caribbean music styles with African roots. The vibrant colors of their costume and the hypnotic energy of their regional music rhythms will captivate your entire mind.
Birth of Delou Africa Dance Ensemble
Delou Africa Dance Ensemble is a popular West African folklore company associated with a highly talented set of artists, drummers, dancers, and storytellers. They represent the rich culture of art and traditions of West Africa through stunning artistic shtick.
Njeri Plato is the founder and Director of Delou Africa Dance Ensemble (D.A.D.E.) and Executive Director of Delou Africa, Inc. (D.A.I.). After moving to the USA in 1971, her knack for African dance folklore grew when she found the hub for West African dance and music in Brooklyn, New York at the Uhru Sasha Shul.
Sadly, when she moved to Miami, she found a void in practicing West African cultural music and traditional dance forms. The metropolis had limited scope to practice and rejuvenate the folklores and vibrant dances of West Africa and to educate people about the rich culture.
She returned from Senegal and built the company to dissipate the cultural gap by establishing a platform that educates and encourages people of Miami about the traditions and heritage of Africa through dance, drum, music, and art.
Why does the group incorporate storytelling?
One of the fascinating attractions of D.A.D.E. is that it has developed a company for talented drummers, musicians, dancers as well as oral historians or storytellers. The storytellers often express the African movements and rhythms through African folktales employed within the theme of any musical performance. It is an important part of the community she has built because communicating about the past and origin of the grandiose traditions of Africa will help to preserve the cultural credo and morals in modern society.
Apart from dance and storytelling, music is another pillar to restore acknowledgment of the African heritage through the majestic instrumental performances using Djembe, dun-duns (stick drums), and a balafon (wooden xylophone).
When you look at the simple yet vibrant colored costumes, you find yourself instantly captivated by their traditional outfits. The majestic appearances are made from African or solid print material embellished with embroidery, beaded belts, cowrie shells, tassels, pom-poms, and many other specific accessories.
Help them to spread high-quality entertainment to the African diasporas by joining their events through Facebook and zoom links.
