Among the line up of stellar performances at the upcoming 4th Annual
3G Awards in New York includes; the world renowned; Aloha Dance
Essemble. The group based in Nungua, Accra, Ghana have its historical
and maiden performance on American soil. It happens on Friday;
December 12th at Ghanatta Hall, 2180 Webster Avenue, Bronx, New York.
The group since inception about a decade ago has thrilled diverse
audiences in the country and beyond with its own variations of
traditional music and dance as well as contemporary dance pieces.
Ghanaian traditional music and dance fans have been assured of magical
performances from the group during its music and dance shows in some
selected areas in the country. Through the efforts of its Artistic
Director; Mr Richard Kwabena, the group can boast of over twenty
choreographed dance pieces that are accompanied by authentic African
drum rhythms.
Aloha Africa Cultural Troupe’s mission is to promote and sustain
African Culture by presenting dance and music that illuminates the
richness and diversity of African traditional values.
The group derives its dance techniques and methodology from movements
characteristics, aesthetic qualities and the philosophy of African
dance traditions, as well as the enormous movements and rhythmic
resources available in various communities throughout Ghana.
Over the past years the group has gained wide range of recognition
throughout Ghana, the west African sub-Region and the world, largely
due to its spectacular performances to highly enthusiastic audiences.
It has also held workshops held workshops and seminars on African
music, dance and drum for some selected schools in Ghana as well as
some foreign national who visited Ghana to learn Ghanaian traditional
drum and dance, and also provide workshops for foreign schools an
community groups.
The group has three albums to its credit and is affiliated to the
Center for National Culture (CNC), member of musician union of Ghana
(MUSIGHA) and member of Ghana Dance Association.
In the year 2008, the group were invited to perform at the opening and
closing ceremonies respectively of the Busan Tafisa Games held in
Busan, South Korea. They were also members of the group selected by
the organizing committee of the 2008 African Cup of Nationsheld in
Ghana to perform for the opening and closing ceremonies respectively.
They have been invited to for various performances for school children
in Tokyo Japan,Denmark, Sydney, Australia for schools and community
groups. They have performed at many countries which include; Holland,
United Kingdom, Sweden and Hawaii. The name; “Aloha Africa” originated
from Hawaii meaning in the Hawaiian language; “Welcome Africa”.
Through the professional experiences of the renowned Artistic Director
Richard Kwabena, the group has been awarded with a lot of laurels.
The group also has included in their credits, His Royal Majesty; Nii
Botwe Laryea II, the Dzaasetse of Nungua Traditional Council and Chief
of Nungua Kotobaabi as their Life Patron.