PHILADELPHIA, November 1, 2022 – Philadelphia’s iconic Kùlú Mèlé African Dance & Drum Ensemble celebrates its 53rd Anniversary with the presentation of “Rite of Passage–An African Ballet” celebrating a boy’s emergence into manhood, November 26 and November 27, at the Performance Garage, 1515 Brandywine Street, Philadelphia.
Presented by PNC Arts Alive, the production will be presented in three shows, 7:00pm, Saturday, November 26, 2:00pm, and 5:30pm, Sunday, November 27.
Founded in 1969 by the late Baba Robert “Ibikunle” Crowder, Kùlú Mèlé is the oldest continually-performing African dance and drum ensemble in the nation. Due to the pandemic, this is the first in-person anniversary performance since its sold-out 50th Anniversary celebration in 2019.
In many Western societies, the boundary between childhood and adulthood is often blurred, and no formal rites of passage are observed. “In traditional African and indigenous societies coming-of-age rites are done during puberty when the youth are taught the skills necessary to participate in society as responsible, productive, community-oriented adults,” explained Dorothy “Mama Dottie” Gordon-Wilkie, longtime artistic director of the ensemble. “Coming-of-age rituals have traditionally included three main phases: separation from the community, a period of transition, and return to the community as an adult. Ritual songs, dances, and masks are major features of initiation rites and will be featured in our presentation.”
Wilkie and others think the absence of coming-of-age rites of passage has left a void in some communities in our society. “Hopefully, our presentation will cause people to think and move them to reinstitute these important rites for the benefit of our youth and communities.”
Kùlú Mèlé attracts diverse audiences of all ages and is about educating the public and passing African Diaspora culture to the next generation. Several students from Omo Kùlú Mèlé, the children’s ensemble, are also a part of the cast. “Mama Dottie” and husband, Music Director Baba John “Wilk” Wilkie, who has been with Kùlú Mèlé since 1971, now welcome their daughter Fasina Wilkie, also a dancer, as the new executive director of the renowned ensemble.
“Some of the Omo Kùlú Mèlé children, alumni that graduated and came back as apprentice dancers, and an apprentice drummer will perform in the show,” said Fasina. “We are so excited and look forward to, once again, be able to celebrate our anniversary before a live audience.”
The Philadelphia–based ensemble is dedicated to serving the community by presenting and preserving the culture, dance, and music of Africa- and the African Diaspora. The ensemble has continued the traditions of iconic dancer/choreographers Pearl Primus and Katherine Dunham by performing authentic dances of Africa and its Diaspora; and was a major part of the foundation of Philadelphia’s Black Arts Movement of the 1960s and 1970s. Kùlú Mèlé (translated as “voice of our ancestors”) helped give birth to a cultural renaissance in Philadelphia’s African American communities and attracted those who were eager to study and experience African culture through the performing arts.
The ensemble offers dance and drum classes for children and community classes for adults. For more information on classes, visit https://www.kulumele.org/.
“Rite of Passage — An African Ballet” is a moving performance and great family event that you don‘t want to miss! Tickets are selling fast and are $30 in advance, $40 at the door, and $20 for children under 12. Tickets may be purchased at the Performance Garage box office (1515 Brandywine Street), by calling 215-569-4060, or through Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/kulu-mele-african-dance-drum-ensemble-presents-rite-of-passage-tickets-458918025167. The doors open an hour before the performance begins. Come early and support the African Marketplace. Discount parking is available at Parkway Corporation (15th Street entrance).
