African Culture Connection's artist include master dancers, drummers and story tellers from the United States and abroad. Their presentations are engaging and dynamic – imparting an appreciation and respect for African culture.
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Charles Ahovissi African Culture Connection Founder Charles is a professional dancer, drummer, performer, choreographer, stage costume designer, and tailor from Benin, West Africa. Since 1986, Charles has toured the world as a member of the Ballet National of Benin, performing and teaching traditional African dance and drumming. Now residing in Omaha, Charles wants to share his knowledge and love of Africa through traditional dancing and drumming to foster better understanding of Africa’s diverse and beautiful cultures. Through dancing and drumming during public performances, school assemblies, residencies, and workshops, Charles promotes unity and multiculturalism while offering students a fun, social and physical activity. Charles provides multicultural lessons by giving students authentic, hands-on experiences with African culture. He creates an authentic African village ambiance in your school and uses ceremonial African clothes as well as traditional instruments to teach about African culture. Charles incorporates a variety of activities into his educational programs depending on the length. Creating African crafts such as masks, necklaces, shakers, headbands, and ankle bells can also be incorporated into the residency. Charles currently teaches African dance and music at the University of Nebraska-Omaha every Friday from 6-8 p.m. and Saturday from 9-11 a.m. in the H.P.E.R. Building, Room 231. There is a $10 drop in fee and public is welcome to attend. Charles is the contact person for Africam Culture Connections. To arrange for your presentation or to get more information, please contact Charles by phone at (402) 238-8259 or through our website. Contact Us |
Luc Aho
Born in Benin, sprung from the royal family, Luc Aho was quickly initiated in African music and dance as his family tradition wanted. In 1980 the international choreographer, Koffi Koko, selected him for the Ballet National of Benin. Based in Bretagne, France he wants to share with the world the value and quality of the polyrhythmic and traditional African dance that he secured. He is the founder of Iya Orisha Company in Bretagne, France.
Julien Babinga
In the beginning there was the rhythm, and the rhythm was God, the tool with which he generated space and time. This animist credo has found an excellent spokesman in Babinga’s polyrhythmic magic, a veritable living fragment of the musical memory of the ancient realm of Kongo, which, until the XVI century, grouped Northern Angola and Southern Kongo. Babinga is an excellent percussion and dance teacher.
Etienne Cakpo
Etienne Cakpo is a professional dancer, choreographer and musician from Benin, West Africa. He teaches and performs traditional African dance from Benin as well as contemporary African dance styles, and has been building his dance repertoire for over twenty years. Based in Seattle, Washington, Etienne directs Gansango Music & Dance, and collaborates with national groups such as African Cultural Connection based in Omaha, Nebraska. In addition to performing locally, nationally and internationally, Etienne delivers quality educational workshops at schools, libraries, festivals and public classes for participants of all ages. In addition to conducting personal research to learn regional dances and musical traditions in his country, Etienne has worked in remote areas of Benin with international ethnomusicologists, musicians and filmmakers. Etienne is the recipient of several local awards and international scholarships. Learn More
Starlette Dossou
Starlette was born in Paris, France to two African parents from Benin, West Africa. She moved back to Benin with her mother and the rich culture took full affect. As a child, she started dancing to the music of heritage in her family’s bar. At the age of nine, she moved to the United States with her mother. Starlette is currently dancing with Charles Ahovissi.
Shawneita Irvin
Originally from Chicago, Shawneita has been dancing for 20 years and has been done Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Modern, and African dance. She began teaching dance in 1997 and taught modern dance for two years at Fairfield Elementary in Omaha, Nebraska. She also danced with the Creighton University Dance Company from 2003-2005. Shawneita is currently dancing with Charles Ahovissi.
Kane Mathis
Kane traveled to the birthplace of Kora, The Gambia, to study with one of the countries most famous musical families, Jobarteh (Diabate) Kunda. Surprisingly, the father of the compound, Malamini Jobarteh, oversaw Kane’s education himself. Kane would take 4 to 6 hours of lessons a day with Malamini Jobarteh on his first three trips, causing a bit of a stir in the compound and community as people were not used to seeing Malamini devote so much time to a student. This study resulted in diplomas and certificates of recognition from Malamini Jobarteh, The Gambian minister of culture, and the President of the Gambia. After making some field recordings with Members of the Jobarteh family Kane began to get regular radio play in The Gambia starting in 1999. Subsequent trips have found Kane headlining concerts organized by the American ambassador to The Gambia, performing with his Gambian trio on Gambia national television, performing at the first annual Gambian heritage festival, and sitting in with the Jobarteh family band Salaam band founded by Malamini’s son Tata Dindin Jobarteh.
Seku Neblett
Seku is a master drummer, cultural artist and lecturer. His youth and adult life has been spent being a part of the Civil Rights, Human Rights, and Pan-Africanist movements that have determined his ideological development and growth. His travels throughout Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Canada have expanded his knowledge of the many problems and issues that effect people throughout the world. During these travels he lectured on “African Culture And Its Realities (ACAIR), a cultural diversity concept and program taught to Seku directly by Presidents Seku Ture of Guinea and Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana.
In searching for a traditional musical expression of his people and their struggle, Seku became exposed to the bougarabou, a six-piece African drum ensemble from the Cassamance region of Senegal, West Africa. In 1994, he began studying with percussionist Mane Badiane and with master bougarabou player Bakary Djedhiou in 1995 in Senegal. Seku now uses his drums to convince, persuade, and inspire all people to learn more about the positive contributions that Africa has and continues to make to humanity. His programs and performances are “edutainment.” He works with children of all ages and adults, using the drum as an instrument of welcome, communication, and liberation, representing a cultural link from the past to the present.
Frank Wharton
Frank specializes in flutes, vibes, wind synthesizer, alto & soprano Saxes, hand percussion, balafon. Frank was a member of the multiple Grammy Award winning “Sounds of Blackness” for 25 years. He has performed with the Minnesota Orchestra, the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, the Cleveland Philharmonic, the St. Paul Civic Orchestra, and the Minneapolis Chamber Symphony. He has also performed with blues legend Albert King, Jon Faddis (jazz trumpeter), the reggae group “Third World,” Roberta Davis, Doris Hines, Spirit, the Drifters, and Moore by Four. Frank has served as musical director for theatrical productions “A Circle is the Sun,” “Pecong,” “Medea,” and “Slow Dance on the Killing Ground.” Frank was a co-founder of the Twin Cities Black Flute Society, the Onyx Classical Ensemble, and the Reginald Buckner Memorial Ensemble. He was a former board member/officer of the National Association of Negro Musicians and the Black Music Educators of the Twin Cities.
These talented, knowledgeable artists are available to perform, teach or both.
Call us at (402) 238-8259 or contact us through our website now.
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