Uzo’s Summer Reflections 2013 part one

My summer has been really busy this year. A year ago, I visited Nigeria and danced/learned from the great Ozulumba international dance troop. It was a dream come true. This year, I decided to keep living the dream. I am grateful for the priviledge to travel , to dance, to teach, to relax and most of all, be with the people I love. I’ll let you use your immagination while you scroll through these photos and I hope you enjoy them.

Nigeria at Hermosa Montessori School

Working with this classroom of kindergarteners was the highlight of the year WOW. They were engaged, excited and I had to stop myself from tearing up. Their teacher was great and bubba Faz ( the drummer) was really suportive to me and great with the kids. These lovely Photos were taken by http://www.amber-rose-photo.com/

San Fransisco was ahhmazing!!!!!

Teaching the Nigerian Dance class there was surreal and I loved every minute of it. We danced Ikorodo using a Djembe and a crin one talented drummer and lots of excited dancers. Although I do not have any photos of the dance class 😦 (beacause it is impossible to live in the moment while capturing the moment) I decided to visit a few museums, walk around town and get treated to a massage. This was my fist time in the bay area. Oh, the FELA show was awesome and the after party rocked too. 🙂

Truly an amazing show!!!!!

Bollywood/Nollywood Class by Uzo and Kiran

This was a blast. Kiran normally facilitates a Bolloywood class in Tucson but this time, She asked for a little Naija flavor. We rocked the house and we will do it again this fall. Stay tuned. In the meantime, chek her out. http://kirane.yolasite.com/about-me.php

Camp Mabina
OK Camp mabina every year for the past thre years has been really exciting. We camp out in the desert, we dance, sing, drum and party. This year, I worked with the kids, we told stories and learned traditional igbo gamesand songs. Here are some casual photos of some friends chillin. Also, the Creative Strategies for Change (CSC ) made a debut at camp. At CSC, the focus is racial justice. We organize, mobilize, and actualize with the CSC 3: Social Justice Frameworks, Arts Engagement, and Restorative Practices.Check them out. http://www.creativestrategiesforchange.com/wp/

Check out camp mabina aso at http://campmabina.com/ and these photos were taken by friends at Camp

Tucson City of Refuge- A United Nations Meeting Presentation by Uzo Nwankpa

This was a very special presentation. You just had to be there. At the end of my talk about my journey as a first generation immigrant to the US, a nurse working with low income moms and a person with a passion for women and empowerment, there was a standing ovation. My dad would be proud. Here is the prezi incase you are curious.

http://prezi.com/uiyjq1zhy3xx/uzoamaka-nwankpa/#

“A” Camp at the University of Arizona

This event was important to me beacuase it was an opportunity to teach our Tucson kids about culture. The kids listened, they played, they danced and they made me cry at the finale.

Rialto Performance with K Bass Band and Farafina Musiki

check out the artist http://www.kbassmusic.com

Uzo Nwankpa is the choreographer and dancer for this band. Djan Tie from Ivory Coast as well as Male Fainke from Mali came through to bless our stage with their presence. The dancers were awsome and it was a blast.