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Art & Life

T. MAJ Dance Company uses art as vehicle for activism

“Plight” performer kneels with pairs of shoes on the floor to demonstrate her immigration issues.
— Provided photo

WAYNE, N.J. – Titilayo Majoyeogbe is the director and choreographer of a fairly new dance company — T. MAJ Dance – that recently demonstrated its mission to address sociopolitical issues and encourage activism through dance performances.

T. MAJ Dance company presented its premiere performance called “Plight,” by implementing text, audio, props, visual and innovative movements to depict one of the world’s largest humanitarian crisis – immigration.

Majoyeogbe believes “Plight” dance show is culturally relevant.

“As a choreographer, I always want to create a dance that seeks to bring the unspoken, neglected, rejected and under-told histories and stories of marginalized people to light through movement,” Majoyeogbe states.

According to Majoyeogbe, “Plight” is culturally relevant because it reveals the sacrifices of family divisions among immigrants.

She said the performers explore their sacrifices by creating moments of dependency and independency, and security and disconnection.

The dancers demonstrate the issues of immigrants through “small yet intense vernacular gestures that speak of dignity, power, determination and desperation,” Majoyeogbe states.

The dance movements create a surreal experience charged with mystery and analogy that invite viewers to feel empowered, self-reflect and take action, she explains.

As a choreographer, she pushes the boundaries of creative movements while she tries to inspire viewers by creating a sense of hope in the midst of worldwide sociopolitical issues, she says.

In general, “Plight” performance revolves around immigration, culture resilience, humanity and community.

Her choreography is meant “to initiate conversations among people and to help keep the channels open to humanity and the realms of social inclusion,” she infers.

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Art & Life

Request Reggae at Parx Casino (Ad)

Rockin riddim…

Sunday Showcase – Jah Guide Reggae Band at Parx from Michelle Dryden on Vimeo.

Nice up the place… Irie!

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Art & Life

Jah Guide Reggae Band at Art All Night in Trenton

Upbeat, rocking, energetic, and highly entertaining; Jah Guide Reggae Band swayed the crowd at Art All Night in Trenton, last Saturday. Art All Night is a cultural, festive, an entertaining event that happens annually in the City of Trenton. There were various vendors, artists, games, other musicians, and just about every ethnicity at the event. The new Mayor-Elect, Eric Jackson, of Trenton, welcomed visitors to Art All Night.

Art All Night in Trenton Featuring Jah Guide Reggae Band from Michelle Dryden on Vimeo.

This video shows clips of the crowd enjoying the reggae band, browsing the vendors and artists, and enjoying the weather.