Shedding Light on the Dark Continent's American Connection: Zollar's Ð''les Ecailles De La Memorie

"Shedding Light on the Dark Continent's American Connection: Zollar's Ð''Les ecailles de la memorie'"

Recognizing and reflecting on the past, present and future of African and African-American culture is giftedly compared, contrasted and combined in Jawole Willa Jo Zollar's "Les ecailles de la memorie" ("The Scales of Memory"). The program, which opened Thursday at The Columbia Dance Center, features two dance companies, Compagnie Jant-Bi and Urban Bush Women, and primarily focuses on themes of resistance, love and memory.

Driven by heart-thumping visual expression, the performance captivates and awes its audience, leaving the starry-eyed with images of true Senegalian culture and, in no small degree, its role or lack thereof in African-American and world history. The all-male Compagnie Jant-Bi and all-female Urban Bush Women combine solo and group expression, executing their roles with seamless interplay; intent on highlighting social and cultural differences throughout the performance.

This work focuses on the journey through the generations, in an attempt to shed the light on the rich culture that its creators feel are largely underserved in the annals of world history. Beginning in a foreign language, the performance is a challenge to follow, though, with some persistence, its themes and incredibly intense message become both utopian and mainstream. "Compagnie Jant-Bi", featuring Babacar Ba, Cire Beye, Abdoulaye Kane, pape Ibrahima Ndiaye Ousamane Ndiaye, Bertrand Tchebe Saka and Abb Sow, focuses on the African male and their journey. "Urban Bush Women", consisting of Maria Bauman, Nora Chipaumire, Catherine Denecy, Paloma McGregor, Love Muwwakkil, Samantha Speis and Bennalldra Williams, use a combination of seduction and skill to highlight their journey. The attention-to-detail and pure talent of these performers come to light within the context of a carefully, yet, free-form and liberally designed program. The technically demanding show forces each performer to exert incredible amounts of energy and these performers undoubtedly pour heart-and-soul into a very real experience.

Whether through a bright light, which provides inquisitive looks from the dancers, perhaps from a Deity, mirror-like reflection visuals or chest-pumping upper-body movement, the designers and performers show clear intent in conveying