This month we feature RETURN TO GOREE AFRICAN DANCE COMPANY. While its Artistic Director, Babacar N'Diaye, is well know, people may be less familiar with the company and what it is trying to achieve.

In the late fall of 1998, Mama Willa Walker, an African dance veteran, with over twenty-five years experience, formerly with Cacho's African Drummers and Dancers, African Heritage Dancers and Drummers, Wo'se Theater Ensemble and one of the founders of Kankouran West African Dance Company, was choreographing an African dance theater presentation for the Baltimore-based Harambee Rights of Passage Coalition. At that time she discovered that her friend, Babacar N'Diaye, formerly of the National Dance Company of Senegal, had relocated to Baltimore. She invited him to come teach some Master classes to her students and the rest is history. At the end of the dance series, Willa and Babacar announced their intention to start a traditional African dance company and invited the community to participate.

RETURN TO GOREE was formed In February, 1999 out of their desire to preserve traditional dance and music, and to symbolize a cultural return to the members African roots. They were joined in this endeavor by Baba Carlos Moore, who was a former lead drummer with Kankouran. Baba Moore has joined the ancestors but his spirit remains with the company.

Company performances often conclude with audience participation and bears out the company motto, "Everyone in the Village can dance!" Through the years, the company members have mainly been comprised of educators and independent creative artists who understand that dance is medicine for the body, spirit and the mind. Indeed, the company reflects the diversity of a village. The dancers and drummers range in size, shape and age. No one is too young or too old to participate. Artistic Director, Babacar N'Diaye, teaches the dance and choreography and emphasizes that company and community class members learn to sing in various traditional West African languages regardless of age group. He has choreographed and performed professionally for more than fifteen years. He has dazzled presidents, dignitaries and audiences all over the world with his high energy and superb dancing style, and the tradition continues today. Babacar is a multi-talented artist and choreographer who travels nationally and internationally, providing brilliant instruction in African dance, music and song.

The company has performed in many notable venues. They make an annual appearance at the Kunta Kinte Heritage Festival in Maryland and have participated numerous times in Dance Africa DC, at the Baltimore Museum of Art, the Baltimore Aquarium and at Morgan State University. The company also perfomed at the Leon H. Sullivan Summit Dinner hostedby Andrew Young in 2002. The event was attended by the late Coretta Scott King and by President George W. Bush. Recently the company performed at the inaugeration of the Reginald Lewis Museum in Baltmore

Return to Goree African Dance Company is currently located in the Druid Hill YMCA, 1509 Druid Hill Avenue, 3rd fl. Dance Studio, Baltimore, MD. Commuity classes take place on Tuesday evenings at 8 p.m. and Saturdays at 4 p.m. For further information please call Executive Director, Mama Willa Walker at 410-466-1444.