reviewvancouver: DanceHouse, The City of Others

Sankofa Danzafro, the dynamic African dance company from Columbia, performed City of Others ( La Ciudad de Los Otros) at the Vancouver Playhouse Theatre to an enthusiastic audience. The performance was crafted by company artistic director and choreographer , Raphael Palacios, who also arranged the costumes. The lighting and electronic fused set design was fashioned by Alvaro Tobon.

The ten energetic dancers and drummer were expressive and explosive in telling the story about oppression and exploitation in Columbia that beset the Columbian African population for many centuries and even today. Social dance or protest dance is relatively rare in dance performance history. Judging from the performance, the message was conveyed convincingly and was a socio-historical learning moment for the audience.

At one moment in the performance the dancers were pulling one dancer to symbolize struggle and oppression.
An uplifting moment was showcased as the dancers sat on the stage floor in solidarity and raising their hands in unison. Hands are symbolic and can express peace and friendship.

At times the dancers sat in rows of chairs that denoted linear and controlling culture that often targets minorities the world over. The imagery was one of suppression. The mood of the performance was apropos with scores of emotional music by Lino Agua Limpia and Harrison Palacios, Jose Velasquez, Fernando Barba, Emmerson McNally, Philip Glass and Richard D. James. Juan Luna Coha is a musical artist of notable talent.

The performance garnered a standing ovation and signalled that performance with a message has an important place in the globalized dance world.