Spirits Dance: A Dialogue with our ancestors

Presented by C.S.1 Curatorial Projects

Join West African Choreographer Robin Hibbert and Williams Crouse’s Allegany Indian River Dancers for a celebration that weaves two ancient traditions together in a unique performance. Their connection honors the original peoples of this site who share a reverence for the earth and spirit. Walk with us through a door to a return to that which is in all things.

Date & location Tbd

Buffalo has always been a place of convergence. Since time immemorial it was home and the traditional territory of the Haudenosaunee (hoe-dee-no-SHOW-nee) and the land where Six Nations where in allegiance - the Mohawk, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Seneca, and Tuscarora.

As the Great Lakes funnel into their eastern end, Buffalo also provided a port - after the founding of the Erie Canal in 1825 - for the transportation of goods. People followed with African-Americans finding a home here from the beginning, refuse during the underground railroad, increasing population in the 1940s, and most recently drawing African refugees from Somalia, Ethopia, and Sudan.

Spirits Dance: A Dialogue with Our Ancestors brings together the traditions and cultures of these two distinct communities: Native American and West African. This rich tapestry will bring forth a harmonious understanding of our historical rhythms, songs, and dance.

Our history is older than America. The goal of this project is to honor, share and celebrate two cultures that have had a profound affect on America, but are often hidden from center stage. Both African and Native American culture share a language that reveres the earth and brings forth a highly energetic and mind transforming insperience (a spiritual experience). Through the artistic vehicles of our shared appreciation of the drum, we are able to fulfill the belief that music, poetry, songs, and dance is universal in its ability to convey joy, love, and compassion. The linking together of this unique system of survival in art is executed through the binding of lyrics, words, music and movements. This catalyzes the ultimate expression of creativity and the beauty of these original cultures.

Spirits Dance: A Dialogue with our Ancestors dreams of a more socially, culturally connected and accessible Buffalo through active arts community engagement via conversation, relationship building, and arts production.

Robin Hibbert is a dancer, choreographer, teacher, mentor, and inspiration to the African-American community for almost 40 years. Born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, Hibbert, describes herself as “keeper of cultural traditions,” receiving extensive knowledge and training from numerous master drummers and dancers from West Africa. Her talent also reaches well beyond Traditional West Africa to Ballet, Modern, Jazz and Tap, having trained at the Dance Theater of Harlem, Alvin Ailey American Dance Center, in the Graham and Limon techniques and toured nationally with the Late Babatunde Olantuji Dance Company, Ballet Bougarabou Du ‘Senegal and Ballet Du ‘Senegal of West African. Most recently, she is developing a new form, a cross between Hip-Hop and African – ASPA (African Steps Part American). NYS DanceForce 2019 Initiative Awardee. Visit here for more info.

Since the 1980s, the Allegany River Indian Dancers have been thrilling audiences at colleges, museums, powwows, and festivals, having travelled all over the U.S., Canada and Germany with the traditional songs and dances of the Iroquois.

Their leader William Crouse Sr. is a member of the Seneca Nation of Indians of the Hawk Clan. He is a faithkeeper, singer, and speaker of the Coldspring Longhouse. As group leader, singer, lecturer, and dancer of the Allegany River Indian Dancers, Bill has travelled all over the U.S. and Canada. He has worked with the American Indian Dance Theater as a choreographer and consultant. His music recordings of Iroquois Social dance music, Smoke dance music and “re-mix” are a hit with young and old alike.