Facets of Africa Matinee Series

IFCC Passport Holders click here to reserve this show.

Portland’s most vibrant performing artists including: Habiba, Brother Askari, Caton Lyles, and Baba Wague share legends and personal tales representing the many facets if Africa based culture. Each performance is followed by an open discussion exploring this contribution to the tapestry of America.

In this wonderful family show, IFCC presents artists and storytellers from a variety of African countries and African-based cultures to celebrate the diversity with in African culture. Join the performers for a discussion after the show. Also, don’t miss the gallery exhibit!

In 2007–2008 Facets of Africa featured some of Portland’s most vibrant performing artists:

Habiba is a native of Ghana, West Africa. She has performed in the United States and internationally for fifteen years. In the Northwest, she has been featured with Milagro Bailadores, Northwest Afrikan American Ballet, Tiempo Caribe, Tygres Heart Theatre and Keith Goodman and Dance Gatherers. She also directs and produces her own shows for audiences locally and internationally. She combines her knowledge and deep appreciation of her cultural heritage with lively storytelling, music and humor. Habiba holds a degree in Theater and a Certificate of Dance from Portland State University and is currently a part-time faculty member. She received the Lila Jewel Award in 2002 in recognition of her work as an artist.

Tiel Aisha Ansari a Sufi, poet, martial artist and computer programmer, living in Portland where she works for Portland Public Schools. She is the author of the poetry collection Knocking From Inside, forthcoming from The Ecstatic Exchange, and her poems have appeared in the VoiceCatcher anthology from Portland Women Writers, Islamica Magazine, and other print and online venues. You can visit her at knockingfrominside.blogspot.com

Brother Askari a Louisiana griot, master drummer, Blues harmonica player and storyteller.

Scott Howard one of Portland’s local artists that dabbles in many things. His stories, music, and visual art can be seen around the city. He grew up in NE, and in more recent years has travelled widely in Mexico, Ecuador, Europe, and Africa. His most recent adventure took him through the countries of Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Senegal, studying these peoples’ culture and music. Photos of his work and his travels can be seen online at www.myspace.com/earthenhand

Caton Lyles who has been active on the local music scene for over 30 years. He has been featured on national and international television, in commercials, documentaries, and episodic programming. Lyles specializesin traditional West African and Afro-Cuban styles of hand drumming, and continues to be a dance accompanist working with several school districts and world-renowned choreographers and dance educators.

Graciela Teofield keeper of the family tales. The repeater of the family proverbs. Teofield received the baton of our oral history from her grandmother, Tita who taught her how to tell a story in such a way, that it allows the listener to feel the experience of the story first hand. The richness of Caribbean, Central American and American culture weaves lovely texture and visual images through the spoken word. Read more…”

Baba Wague Diakite an internationally acclaimed artist and award-winning author/illustrator. He has been delighting Western audiences with his traditional Malian folktales since his arrival in the United States in 1985. Born in Mali, West Africa, he now spends his time between homes and studios in Portland, Oregon and Bamako, Mali.