Art of Black Dance and Music ABDM Performance
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What we do

  • Teach the common history of humankind through the varied and multinational Cultural Artistry resulting from the African Diaspora.
  • Bring to people of all ages, communities and ethnic backgrounds the richness and diversity of African Rooted Dance & music.
  • Be a valuable component to Educational Systems by developing curriculum specific resources and presenting culturally diverse programs through lectures, performance events,  residencies, multimedia presentations and teacher training.
  • Use the performing arts and traditions of the African Diaspora to enhance and extend cultural awareness in our diverse communities.

Our History

  • ABDM has built a strong history of important performances, reaching many audiences and associations including:
  • The Prime Minister of Jamaica (1976)
  • Summerthing in Boston (1977)
  • World Peace Conference with Bob Marley, Eddie Palmieri, Olatunji (1979)
  • Opened the International Festival of the Arts in Nairobi, Kenya (1985)
  • Jacob's Pillow Dance Festival (1987)
  • Alvin Ailey Opening Night Committee (1989)
  • Greater Boston Visitor and Convention Bureau's "An Evening of Entertainment" (1990)
  • Nelson Mandela Visit to Boston (1990)
  • African Tapestry Concert (1991)
  • Museum of Fine Arts Gala (1992)
  • Brooklyn Academy of Music DanceAfrica Festival ( 19881 - 83)
  • Lincoln Center Out of Doors Festival of Performing Arts (1994)
  • Boston Symphony Orchestra-Youth Concert (1995)
Mayor's Proclamation - Art of Black Dance and Music Day (1987)
Founder/Director and Dance Educator, De Ama Battle's prestigious awards include:
  • Black Legislative Caucus Arts and Humanities Award (1987)
  • Mass. Council of Arts and Humanities (1987) Enrichment to Cultural Life of the Commonwealth
  • Harriet Wigfall Community Service Award (1990)
  • Elliot Norton Award (1992)
  • League of Afro-American Women Award, Boston for Achievement in the Arts
  • The Boston Parents Paper - Commonwealth of Massachusetts Role Model Award, Boston (1995)
  • The Commonwealth Award Massachusetts Cultural Council (1995)

 

 A multimedia collectiion of De Ama Battle's work in arts/education, raising an awareness and respect to the performance of African Rooted Dance & Music will soon be accessible through the Schlesinger Library of American Women in History at Harvard/Radcliff in Cambridge.  A series of international dance study tours and dance intensives - highlighting some of the first diaspora teachers in this region.

 

 
 


"Everything in the universe has rhythm. Everything dances."
Maya Angelou

Latest News

Boston Conservatory - African Diaspora Styles - SEPT-MAY 2011/2012
A two semester course for dance majors begins September 2011 and runs thru May 2012, at the  Boston Conservatory.  Under the direction of Dance Educator De Ama Battle, the course focuses on cultural styles and background of the dance and music traditions of the African Diaspora.  Musical assistance by Mamadou Lynx N'Diaye and Akili Haynes.
 
UPCOMING EVENTS
Dance Educator De Ama Battle, accompanied by Mamadou Diop of Senegal will hold its 9th annual cultural arts residency at the Lynnfield Middle School in May/June of 2012.  This program covers all of the 6th grade classes at LMS and involved 8 teachers and 250-260 students.  A Dance performance is presented by the students at the end of the 4 week program.
 
Celebrating 35 years of African Rooted Dance & Music Education

Preserving a legacy of African rooted dance, music and folklore, as it pertains to the African American heritage and its global connections.