rigiNation Cultural Arts Center

The Nation That Caters To Youth^TM

IMMEDIATE RELEASE – June 30, 2004
CONTACT: Musau Dibinga at 617-541-1875

PRESS RELEASE

ORIGINATION YOUTH GROUPS TO PERFORM AT THE DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CONVENTION IN JULY

BOSTON, MA…June 29, 2004 – Two of OrigiNation’s professional youth companies – NIA Dance Troupe and Girlz of IMANI – will perform at the FleetCenter during the 2004 Democratic National Convention program as part of the City Youth Dance Ensemble.

"We are thrilled and excited to have been selected to be a part of the Democratic National Convention and look forward to performing on the Convention stage with the City Youth Dance Ensemble," said Shaumba Yandje Dibinga, Founding Executive and Artistic Director of OrigiNation, Inc. and Artistic Manager of the City Youth Dance Ensemble.

Last month, the DNCC and FleetBoston Celebrity Series announced Student Performances at the DNC - a collaborative effort to select young performers ages 5 to 18 from around Massachusetts to perform at the FleetCenter during the 2004 Convention. After a review of nearly 50 submitted applications and tapes, OrigiNation’s youth groups were selected by a committee of DNCC, FleetBoston Celebrity Series representatives and local arts leaders. NIA Dance Troupe and Girlz of IMANI will now begin an accelerated rehearsal schedule to prepare for the upcoming Convention with the City Youth Dance Ensemble. Rehearsals will take place at the OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center.

City Youth Dance Ensemble is made up of dancers from OrigiNation’s NIA Dance Troupe; Girlz of IMANI; AileyCamp, Boston; and Act II. 65-70 students from Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, Hyde Park, Boston's South End, South Boston; Braintree, Cambridge, Brockton, Randolph, Mansfield, Jamaica Plain, Allston, Brighton, Charlestown, and East Boston will perform a mixture of jazz, hip-hop, African and modern dance on the Convention stage.

Founded in 1994, OrigiNation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that specializes in implementing innovative and dynamic programs, which motivate, challenge, and inspire youth to be the best they can be. We offer quality dance, theater arts and African history education at the OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center in Roxbury. Special emphasis is placed on teaching young people between the ages of 3 through 18 the importance of self-respect, health, nutrition, education, self-esteem and the extent of African influences on various contemporary art forms. For more information, please visit www.originationinc.org.

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