KOOP Radio nonprofit partner Early Era Collective recently presented Rising From the Roots, a dance and multi-media performance at the George Washington Carver Museum & Cultural Center. This feel-good innovative program, honoring immigrants from Bangladesh, Palestine, the Philippines, and more, and co-produced with Chakra Media Company, led the audience through the venue simulating a visit to the museum – The Carver Museum!
Having thoroughly enjoyed several of the Collective’s past performances (“Of Thee I Swing” featuring filmed interviews of stories of those who served in or survived WWII, swing dancing, and 1940s garb, and “Say That!,” a celebration of Black History Month) I rushed to snag a ticket to the sold-out opening night of Rising From the Roots.
Early Era Collective’s performances feature “diverse perspectives for diverse audiences,” often carrying a “social justice message folded into their artistry, emphasizing personal stories over politics.”
Our small group of traveling audience members started in the conference room, viewing a short film featuring Tasneem Al-Michael, “a proud, unapologetic” activist sharing his uncertain journey to becoming DACAmented and community activism, reminding me that when I know more, I understand more.
The audience then traveled to the lobby of the museum to be mesmerized by beautifully costumed, jeweled, and skilled dancers from Austin Dance India, including founder Anu Naimpally, who shared her family’s journey of immigration from India, Purna Bajekat, and Sourmya Nagesh in a dance entitled “Shankari Shabdam: The Goddess, She Prevails.”
In the classroom, our group watched a short film featuring Iman Imad Enchassi from Lebanon, now a senior imam at the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma City and Chair of Islamic Studies at Oklahoma City University, who shared the profound message that “every generation that comes reminds America of their ideals.” For that, I am most appreciative.
Another short film featured Lebanese Joumana Asfour’s personal story of immigration and passion for reforming education. Joumana’s story was enhanced by young dancers, Nidhi Allaboyina, Hamsika Ellore, Tvisha Kalambi, Vamshika Konda, Dhwani Nathan, and Keerthi Rajagopal from Austin Dance India expressing hope, friendship, and community.
Alexa Capareda met our group in the dance studio sharing the journey from The Philippines to Texas and the experience of a life of combined cultures. Alexa was joined by dancer Lisa del Rosario and accompanied by an original musical score composed by Katrina Saporsantos and Benjamin Dia. What a treat to hear Tagalog, a language spoken in the Philippines!
The performance culminated in the Boyd Vance Theater of The Carver, with a colorful, joyful, and spirited Afro-Latin dance set, “El Beso” by Oro Dance Company with dancers Kittie Pacheco, Sydney Briggs, and Robbie Sky. Next was A’Lante Flamenco Company performing an intense, adrenaline-producing, beautiful dance of belonging: “Ni de Aqui, Ni de Alla” (Neither Here nor There), under the direction of A’Lante Flamenco founder Olivia Chacon and Bianca Rodriguez.
Musicians Isai Chacon, Celia Corrales Sellers, Tony Hampton Nocelotl, and Jose Manuel Tejeda and the dancers led the audience in a musical, clapping procession out of the theater to be greeted with hugs by production dancers, family members, and supporters.
The excitement continued when Early Era Collective took this production on the road to the First Americans Museum in Oklahoma City, hosted by Americans for the Arts and Race Forward, Cultural Week of Action. The production celebrated U.S. Immigrants living in Oklahoma through live dance and filmed interviews.
Coming in February at the Dougherty Arts Center, the next production of Early Era Collective is “Say That Again,” a reprise of last year’s joyful celebration of Black History Month “Say That!” “Say That Again” is another relevant, timely, and impactful celebration through contemporary and street-style dance collaboration and spoken word. Don’t just walk – run and dance to find out more at www.earlyeracollective.org.