March 2–4, 2012
Arts and Social Change in Africa and the Diaspora
2012 Edition: “The Communal Bowl”
In cooperation with the Arts in the One World Festival
Sponsored by the Department of Theatre Arts & Performance Studies and the Creative Arts Council
ABOUT THE RHYTHM OF CHANGE:
The Rhythm of Change initiative began in 2010 as an investigation of the links between the performing arts and social change in Africa and the diaspora. This, the third installment of the festival at Brown University, brings together international artists, musicians, dancers, social activists, scholars, and students for three days of performances, lectures, and workshops to explore how the arts can play an instrumental role in development, awareness, and empowerment. The festival also continues a discussion that Brown students started in Mali in 2011 with Malian artists, nutritionists, and social activists about the involvement of artists in solutions for Mali's malnutrition crisis. This year's theme, "The Communal Bowl" looks to develop, with students, scholars, activists, and Malian artists, a viable message for change on this topic.
FEES:
$100 for Festival Wristband (entrance to all events)
$15 for individual events or workshops
$20 for Friday's Communal Bowl Dinner
FESTIVAL OVERVIEW:
This year's festival will begin on Friday, March 2nd with a communal dinner and discussion followed by performances, continue with workshops and lectures all day Saturday the 3rd, and close on Sunday the 4th after another full-day of workshops.
Artists and scholars have been invited from throughout the US, Africa, and the diaspora. Classes will include djembe drumming, West African dance, Afro-modern dance, song, yoga, and more. This year's events are held in conjunction with Arts In The One World, hosted by playwriting faculty, Erik Ehn.
We welcome the public at all workshops. lectures and performances.
For a detailed schedule of the festival and for locations of events, please go to the Rhythm of Change blog.
Schedule
Events with marked with a * are required for students of the Mande class.
FRIDAY MARCH 2
7-10pm The Communal Bowl and Opening Performances*
Traditional Malian cuisine will be served. Performances follow. $20/person or Festival Wristband required.
SATURDAY MARCH 3
Workshops & Events: $15 each or Festival Wristband
9-10am: Workshops*:
- Yoga
- Meditation
10:15-11:45am Workshops*:
- Song in Activism
- Djembe Drumming
- Traditional Malian Dance
12-1:30pm Workshops*
- Mande Song
- Djembe Drumming
- Contemporary Mande Dance
3-4:30pm Lecture: Cultural Preservation as Activism (Thomas Riccio)
4:30-6pm Workshops*:
- Burkinabe Traditional Dance
- Doun-doun Drumming
- West African Dance
- Traditional Malian Dance
9pm Performances by Festival Artists & Dancing*
SUNDAY MARCH 4
10-11am Workshops*:
- Yoga
- Meditation
11:15am-12:45pm Workshops*:
- Djembe Drumming
- Malian Dance
- West African Dance
2-3:30pm Workshops*”
- Traditional Malian Dance II
- Traditional Mande Dance
2-4pm Active Improvisation: Creating A Viable Message (invitation only, observation upon special request)
4:15pm Closing Ceremony & Ritual*
