ABOUT CELIA
Celia Eleanor Benvenutti is an Afro-Latina dance artist, native Detroiter and graduate from La Academia de las Americas, Cass Technical High School and Howard University. Currently, her movement practice is inspired by African Spirituality, the Katherine Dunham Technique, Afro- Caribbean folklore, Afro- Caribbean contemporary styles, traditional African, and African-Contemporary dance. She believes that self- examination, detachment, and discrimination, the three philosophies within the Katherine Dunham Technique, are key to evolution towards higher knowledge and forms. When not in the space of dance, she seeks sanctum in the kitchen, pulling recipes from her African, Puerto Rican, and American roots. Her goals are to continue the work in creating spaces for observation in Afro-Caribbean dance while using contemporary dance forms to further prompt the observer for more investigation and awareness in Afro-Caribbean folklore and spirituality.
ABOUT CELIA’S WORK
“Un canto a mis antepasados”
“A Song to My Ancestors”
Eleggua, has mi camino cierto
Protegiéndome de noche y de día.
Eleggua, make my road true
Protecting me night and day.
Eleggua- “ el dueño de todas las puertas y de todos los caminos” in English translated to “owner or patron of all doors and all roads”, plays an integral part in African-diasporic spirituality. They were the first to be born from Olodumare, the supreme being in Yoruba spirituality, and with that witnessed the creation of the Earth and all other orishas thereafter. Nothing begins or ends without the blessing of Eleggua.
This journey will take one through movements from the Katherine Dunham technique fused with orisha and Afro-Cuban contemporary dance. This experience will center the Bakongo cosmogram, an ancient circular diagram from the Bakongo people of the Congo region in Central Africa. This diagram depicts the relationship between life and the ancestral realm.
This ballet will showcase the never-ending relationship and power of the Earth, life, and renewal through dance.
Eleggua
References from:
“Eleggua.” The Tarot of the Orishas: The Bi-Lingual English/Spanish Guide to All 77 Cards of the ORISHA Tarot, by Zolrak , Llewellyn Publications, 2000, pags. 19–21.
Gidwitz , Tom. “The Bakongo Cosmogram .” The Bakongo Cosmogram, 2005, www.tomgidwitz.com/main/id273.htm.
SPANISH TRANSLATION BELOW
Spanish:
“Un canto a mis antepasados”
Eleggua, has mi camino cierto
Protegiéndome de noche y de día.
Eleggua- “el dueño de todas las puertas y de todos los caminos”, juega un papel integral en la espiritualidad de la diáspora africana. Fueron los primeros en nacer de Olodumare, ser supremo en la espiritualidad Yoruba, y con eso presenciaron la creación de la Tierra y todos los demás orishas a partir de entonces. Nada comienza ni termina sin la bendición de Eleggua.
Este viaje lo llevará a uno a través de movimientos de la técnica Dunham fusionados con el orisha y la danza contemporánea afrocubana. En el centro de esta experiencia estará el cosmograma de Bakongo, un antiguo diagrama circular de la gente Bakongo de la región del Congo en África central. Este diagrama muestra la relación entre la vida y el reino ancestral.
Este ballet mostrará la interminable relación y el poder de la Tierra, la vida y la renovación a través de la danza.
Referencias de:
“Eleggua.” El Tarot de los Orishas: El guía bilingüe en español o inglés para las 77 cartas de Tarot de los Orishas, by Zolrak , Llewellyn Publications, 2000, pp. 19–21.
Gidwitz , Tom. “The Bakongo Cosmogram .” The Bakongo Cosmogram, 2005, www.tomgidwitz.com/main/id273.htm.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
August 20th | 7pm EST | Andy, 3000 Fenkell St, Detroit, MI 48238
BYO Refreshments are welcome.
The audience will be REQUIRED to wear a mask the entire time. We ask that if you feel unwell please stay home.
Suggested Donation: $5-10
This helps us cover the cost of renting the space and organizing the event - thank you!
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This activity is supported by the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs. Learn more about MCACA here.
