Fate & Destiny identified early!Urban Souls Dance Company is known for addressing social and global issues through the art form of dance. One of our most notable works is Across the Waters which is a dance theater performance from our repertoire that deals with genocide in Rwanda. Since we debuted the piece in 2007 we have always imagined ourselves traveling to Rwanda to do a cultural exchange. We are so excited that the time has come..... Below you will read accounts of Company member/ general manager Walter Hull as he shares the Urban Souls Experience in Rwanda.
(photo credit Amitava Sarkar)
May 2, 2011
For the past few months I've been preparing for my trip to Rwanda that is in partnership with the US Embassy in Rwanda. Ishyo Arts Centre is where Urban Souls Dance Company will be conducting a three day dance workshop. Established in 2005 (just like Urban Souls) by eight Rwandese women. Ishyo is a successful non-profit cultural development organization that operates in Rwanda and Abroad. By focusing on many aspects of the arts, Ishyo has brought musicians, dancers, actors, and other artists to make culture available for everyone.
On Monday May 2, 2011, I finally met face to face with the director of Ishyo Arts Centre, Carole Karemera to discuss the details about the workshop I would be conducting. When I looked at her face I thought she looked very familiar, but how could I have seen this beautiful women before with this being my first trip to Rwanda. Here's where the story becomes one of fate and destiny.
-flashback-
In 2005, my soul was touched by a movie titled "Sometimes in April", a movie about Genocide in Rwanda and its destruction on the culture. From this movie a strong spirit of advocacy was born not only in my own life, but also in the life of Harrison Guy ( Urban Soul's Artistic Director). From there we felt compelled to tell these stories on the American stage and educate our peers about global issues. A few years later "Across the Waters" had become one of Urban Souls Dance Company's most notable works.
-flash forward-
Carole Karemera (The Director of Ishyo Arts Centre) played a lead role in the movie "Sometimes in April" as Joanne, a strong women who refuse to die without a fight. So, my Rwandan contact was in the movie that inspired this entire experience! Talk about FATE & DESTINY! What an enlightening moment for the both of us. Tomorrow I will conduct the first series of the "Urban Souls Experience" workshop to 15 dancers who will travel as far as two hours a day to participate in this experience. I'm honored to share our Urban Souls with Rwanda.
More to come.....
