About The Show:
This February, we are celebrating the rich history and legacy of the African-American community by starting at the source. This festival will be one of international proportions, featuring Atumpan Edutainment joining with special guests for an unforgettable virtual event. This event will be held on Saturday, February 20th from 12:00 pm - 4:00 pm as a livestream. Access to the livestream is available for sale through ShowTix4U with a ticket price of $15. An early bird discount is available. Purchase your tickets in advance to get them for a discounted rate of $12. For more information about streaming access with ShowTix4U, please click here.
Atumpan Edutainment & Co. presents a 4-hour Black History Month Celebration named after Carter G. Woodson, an American historian and the father of Black history. The festival will be comprised of eight, 25-minute performances and presentations including:
Interviews of African-Americans who are making history now
Musical selections by artists and bands from Virginia and beyond
African dance performed by nationally and internationally acclaimed ensembles
Poetry and storytelling by nationally and internationally acclaimed artists
“Make and Move It” DIY crafts creating simple instruments and beaded jewelry (craft supplies listed below)
Theatrical vignettes of traditional folklore
Virtual yoga classes
The materials needed for the “Make and Move It” DIY Craft includes:
Two (2) paper plates
1/2 cup of beads, rice, or dry beans
Construction Paper or Tissue Paper
Stapler or tape
Markers, Pens, Crayons, Color Pencils
Additional Decorating supplies are optional (glitter, glue, feathers, etc.)
More of the groups involved in this incredible festival include:
Djembe All-Stars Trio: New York’s award-winning master percussionists Yao Ababio of Asase Yaa Dance Theatre, Gene Osbourne of Djoule Afrikans Dance Theatre, and Kam Kelly of the D.A.Y. Program bring over 40 years of collective internationally acclaimed traditional West African percussion orchestra and dance from their travels to Guinea, West Africa.
Charlotte Blake Alston, The Griot Woman: Internationally acclaimed storyteller, librettist, musician, and voice of several PBS documentaries Charlotte Blake Alston has performed at the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, the Kimmel Center, as well as in South Africa and Senegal.
Orisirisi African Folklore: Don and Adetutu Harrell are a dynamic husband and wife team that have served as cultural consultants for Nickelodeon’s “Gulla Gulla Island” television show and as a resident artists at Walt Disney World theme parks. Orisirisi African Folklore presents Adetutu’s Yoruba heritage from Nigeria, West Africa with song, folklore, and dance.
“Go Down Moses” West - Retired Army Ranger Moses West is a real life Aquaman who is making history now. His invention, the Atmospheric Water Generator, is ground-breaking technology that has helped provide relief to the water crisis in Flint, Michigan and in Puerto Rico following the 2017 Hurricane Maria.
It’s Like That Band - Hampton Roads band leader Sherrod Brown and his 4-piece ensemble take audiences on a trip down musical memory lane.
Yogic Rhythms - Yoga Instructor and meditation facilitator Bonney Barnes uses grounding world music rhythms during her calm yoga sessions.
About Atumpan Edutainment:
The mission of Atumpan Edutainment is to provide affordable and accessible opportunities for artsist' development of onstage and behind the scenes talents through arts education, professional performances, special projects and community events.
Atumpan is
501(c)3 non profit organization
Resident performance company at the Crispus Attucks Cultural Center since 2011, currently at the Fred Heutte Center in Norfolk's Ghent section
Founded in 1998. Led by founding members LaQuita Marie Staten and Corey the Talented Blind Guy AKA the Dynamic Duo
Storytelling is the main focus of Atumpan for
groups
reenactments
stage plays to provide a full season of edutainment.
Special projects (CD productions, educational videos, or workshops with master dance and percussion instructors from around the country)
Participants of Atumpan Dance Theatre classes often transition into the Atumpan Dance Theatre Company
professional performance opportunities
stipends
travel opportunities