BALLET INTERNATIONAL AFRICANS (BIA)

Ballet International African Dance Company, is an up and coming group of very talented performers who take the traditions of the ancient African ancestors very seriously. So seriously that they have dedicated their knowledge and talent to preserving them by introducing new styles and techniques to the branches of this Great Baobob tree of life. The traditions are the foundation, but the innovations are the branches that stemmed from the root and both need each other to survive. This is the belief of Amina Olushola Heckstall, Director of Ballet International African (BIA) and the beliefs she also looks for in her ensemble members.

Ballet International presented, for the first time ever, a cultural arts conference in Brooklyn (2005 event has past for this year). It will be annually in July. This year the event is took place July 14th, 15th, & 16th, 2005. The purpose of this event is to reiterate the mission of the company. This year's theme was,

"Dance In The Spirit!"

We would like to return the spirituality and just pure joy that we used to derive from a good ol' African dance class or any kind of ethnic based dance/ drum technique. We want to erase the competitive energy, the inability for minorities to afford workshops, the need to learn something new when teachers are giving us the same stuff for high prices. We want to end the gossip mill that has grown in this community of artists, the petty beefs, and rumors that cause us to lose focus on what's important to us all, preserving learning, and teaching this beautiful culture that has grown so large over the centuries that it has touched every other culture in some way over time. We invite all to attend next year's event, all ages, ethnicities, and levels of expertise. If you are not on the mailing list or e-mail list send your info to: aminanankama@hotmail.com

Some of the new types of classes we will beoffering next year are: Feminine Healing African Dance, Guinea Dances By Request, Contemporary Lyrical Dance, Hip hop/ Jazz Dance Fusion, Brazilian Samba & Orixa Dance, Dun Dun Dance, Congolese Dance, Sabar For Women, Kutiro Dance, Djembe/ DunDun Drum Jam Session, Seruba Dance, Children's African Dance, and more! Class descriptions and all conference info will posted on a link on this site, so stay posted and check back here frequently!

Peace and blessings

THE DRUM IS YOUR SPIRIT!