Program Descriptions
Programs include school assemblies, lecture/demonstrations,
festivals and camps designed to instill the values and principles
of the "village life." This means that young people
learn how to respect each other, their elders, their teachers,
and their place in the community.
For over 15 years, Mbongi
Dance Theater Project has exposed thousands of school-age youth
to the songs, dances, musical instruments, customs and rituals
of African cultures. These mediums of communication captivate
children into heighten attention and awareness, so that powerful,
positive messages can be understood and absorbed.
Youth Classes -- Assemblies -- Workshops -- Concerts
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Mbongi
for Colleges and Universities bring African culture and arts to
the university setting. Programs in this environment include
master classes and workshops in dance and drumming, concerts,
and lecture/demonstrations.
Audiences are introduced
to the social and cultural contexts of dance and music in Africa
and how they are incorporated into everyday life. Students and
faculty also learn about the links between African and African-American
cultures.
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College Classes -- Residency
Programs -- Workshops -- Concerts
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Mbongi
for the at-large Community includes activities such as on going
community classes in dance and drumming, camps, concerts and
performances.
These activities create
an environment where people joyously learn about community life
through song, dance, and music - bonding and sharing takes place
in the context of the village model.
Classes -- Concerts
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Mbongi
for groups and corporations
are designed for executives,
professionals, community leaders and members of groups to instill
values of community-building and self-care.
Workshops help participants center themselves,
reconnect head to heart, refresh their minds and restore relationships.
LOUKOUA CHILDREN’S PROJECT AND
JOURNEY TO CONGO 2010
Journey to the Congo is a 3-week long adventure to the heart of the Congo, exploring traditional African villages and the communities that bind them together. It is a unique opportunity to experience the dance, drumming, singing and rituals of living Congolese masters in the context of authentic, on-going village life.
This travel experience is for the purpose of being a founding member in establishing the infrastructure of the Loukoua Congolese Children's Project. Please refer to the full details of the project at: www.mbongivillage.org/loukoua.html
Loukoua is a rustic but pristine, nature lover's retreat, at the source of the Loukoua River and is the future site of Loukoua Children’s Project and sustainable eco-resort for culture and land preservation. Loukoua is located 5 miles north of Loumou, where the 2 weeks of dance and music workshops will be based. Loumou is a small, rural village approximately 1 hour Northwest of Brazzaville. It is walking distance to 2 rivers, Djouari and Loumou, for swimming and fishing, and has a vibrant weekly market.
This is an adventure travel opportunity, ideal for sustainable builders, agriculturalists, as well as other crafts people and artists to utilize their skills to create positive change for the orphans of Congo. Activities include: drum, dance, song, instrument instruction, building, gardening, cooking, excursions to marketplace, voyages to waterfalls, the Kongo River, and Kinshasa.
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JULY 8, 2010- JULY 29, 2010 (dates subject to slight change)
2 weeks drum, dance, song, and cultural exchange
1 week work study at Loukoua &/or excursions and field trips
The cost for the 3 week trip is $2000
(with pro-rated prices available for shorter and extended stays) and
includes:
A. Daily meals, vegetarian or non-vegetarian
B. Group transportation to and from Loumou and the airport
C. Cultural events and performances by a traditional Congolese troupes
D. Intensive workshops in Congolese dance, drumming and singing
E. Living accommodations with a host family in Loumou
F. Group excursions to historical and cultural sites
G. Leisure time to provide opportunity for exploring the country
We ask travelers to purchase and book their own airplane tickets and obtain a visa. We can recommend a travel agent
Please contact Titos with your questions and ideas:
734.757.5761 -
titossompa@hotmail.com
The Itinerary is as follows but is subject to slight change:
Day 1: Leave NY for Brazzaville, Congo
Day 2: Arrive Brazzaville; travel to Loumou
Day 3: Orientation: Getting to know each other
Day 4: Spend time with host family
Day 5: Drum and dance workshops begin
Day 6: Drum and dance workshops
Day 7: Drum and dance workshops
Day 8: Drum and dance workshops
Day 9: Drum and dance workshops
Day 10: Troupe performance by teachers from the previous days
Day 11: Field Trip
Day 12: Drum and dance workshops
Day 13: Drum and dance workshops
Day 14: Drum and dance workshops
Day 15: Drum and dance workshops
Day 16: MATANGA, party/celebration including student performance
Day 17: Field Trip to Fulakari or Brazzaville
Day 18: Field trip down Congo River
Day 19: Work Study begins in Loukoua
Day 20: Work Study + optional excursions
Day 21: Work Study + optional excursions
Day 22: Work Study + optional excursions
Day 23: Work Study and Closing Ceremonies
Day 24: Depart Brazzaville for U.S.
The Daily Schedule for the dance and drum workshops is as follows but is subject to change and flexible
based on guests personal needs and desires:
8:00 to 9:00 am Breakfast
10:00 to 10:30 Warm ups
10:35 to 12:15pm Drumming and Dancing
12:30 to 1:30 Lunch
1:30 to 3:00 Break
3:00 to 3:30 Singing session
3:30 to 5:30 Dance
6:00 Dinner
8:30 Mbongi
Travel to Mexico
for a two week workshop on traditional Congolese dance, drumming
and culture! This incredible international event will take place
every year in the spring.
The Spirit of
Africa Festival celebrates and recognizes the global cultural contribution
that the African continent has brought to our world. The Festival
celebrates the unity and cultural gifts of the Earth's people
that is possible in the world today.
During the festival week,
members of the community have an opportunity to explore the visual
and cinema arts, master classes in dance and drumming, and lecture/demonstrations
dedicated to African culture. The week is culminated by a concert
featuring ethnic artists of music and dance celebrating African-influenced
forms such as reggae, gospel, blues, and jazz. In addition, and
to link these forms to their roots, audiences will be taken through
a journey of the traditional music and dance from the regions
of Africa.
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