Published Thu, May 3, 2012 9:43 am Dateline
The Ohio University African Ensemble, directed by Paschal Yao Younge and Zelma Badu-Younge, will present AZA, a concert of traditional and contemporary African music and dance, with special guest Zab Maboungou on Friday, May 4 at 7:30 p.m. in Templeton-Blackburn Alumni Memorial Auditorium.
Zab Maboungou is a dancer, choreographer, instructor, author, philosophy professor and a pioneer of African dance in Canada.
The concept for the concert was developed seven years ago by husband-and-wife duo Dr. Paschal Younge and Dr. Zelma Badu-Younge. It combines original dancing and music from various African countries, including Benin, Egypt, Ghana, Nigeria, Senegal and Zimbabwe.
Dr. Stephen Howard, the director of African Studies at Ohio University, was a primary contributor. The event was created because Howard wanted to celebrate African arts on OU’s campus.
AZA’s performers comprise various dance classes taught by Badu-Younge and the OU African Ensemble. The student performers are from a variety of majors at OU, not just dance and music majors.
General admission is $12, free to OU students and $9 for non-OU students and senior citizens. Visit www.finearts.ohio.edu for more information.
