ASASE YAA African American Dance Theater presents DRUM LOVE on Saturday, February 2, 2019 at 7:30pm at The Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space, 2537 Broadway, NYC 10025. Tickets are $35-50 can be purchased at https://www.symphonyspace.org/events/vp-drum-love, with special VIP packages available at www.asaseyaaent.org.
Drum Love is a classic love story, rites of passage, and coming of age tale complete with a tragic heroine, suitors, and concerned family. The work follows the time-honored format of African ballets expertly produced by the touring national companies of West African countries.
Conceived, choreographed, and directed by Artistic Director Yao Ababio,Drum Love tells the story of a young girl who falls for three artists of The Big City. She ignores warnings to avoid them and becomes involved with all three. Eventually she gets pregnant, is rejected, and realizes that she has created a situation that will bring shame to her family. In the end, she embraces the support of her family and friends. Incorporating dance, song, and live music, the completed work will engage audiences with the excitement and vigor of African dance while presenting an urban twist on traditional themes. The piece will be performed by seven dancers, five drummers, and a traditional Malian band.
Drum Love features music from Asase Yaa's debut album (release date, 2014). The title song, "The Love" is currently being featured in noted choreographer Ronald K. Brown's critically-acclaimed new ballet, "The Call." It is one of the works included in the Alvin Ailey Dance Company 60th Anniversary production that was presented over the holidays at the City Center in Manhattan and is now touring in major markets throughout the country.
