Spirit of Uganda Tour
Experience Uganda
To the melodic tones of standing drums, with dramatic choreography, bright, layered rhythms, and gorgeous call-and-response vocals, Spirit of Uganda brings to life the sounds and movements of East Africa.
From January through May 2012, Spirit of Uganda will return to North America with its riveting performances of music and dance for audiences of all ages.
Under the artistic direction of Peter Kasule, Spirit of Uganda is Empower African Children's professional training and touring program. On tour, 22 vibrant performers, ages 8-18, share the histories, legends and beliefs of East Africa and introduce some of the new and dynamic music and dance forms that are being created now.
Ambassadors for Uganda's 2.4 million orphans, these children personify the resilience and promise of Africa's next generation as they promote awareness of Uganda's dual crises of AIDS and civil war, and raise funds to support themselves and others in their homeland.
Spirit of Uganda's tours have taken the company from California to Maine, hosted by leading performing arts venues including New York's Joyce Theater, Philadelphia's Zellerbach Theatre, the Marin, Gallo and Mondavi Arts Centers in California, Chapel Hill's Memorial Hall, the Virginia Arts Festival and Boston's Berklee Center. The company has also made special appearances at the Vancouver Cultural Olympiad, the United Nations and at Macy's Passport.
And performances are just part of the equation. Spirit of Uganda offers tailor-made residency activities, including lecture-performances, dance and drumming workshops, panel discussions and more. In 2012, we will launch Bridge to Uganda, a unique opportunity to make global connections locally by hosting Spirit of Uganda for a day-long visit in K-12 schools. Activities can include a performance (auditorium preferred), a shared lunch and classroom visits.
“Young, proud, and marvelously spiritied musicians and dancers. Whatever these performers do, in whatever different bright attire, they do with discipline, fervor, and joy.... The pounding feet and agile bodies, the drums and vibrant human voices all send a message - one of courange and hope.”
- Village Voice TUSIIMA: "With Gratitude" by Spirit Of Uganda
