This interactive program transports audien ces through traditional West African music\, dance\, language\, and cultur e\, weaving in historical context and introductions to indigenous instrume nts. Lara&rsquo\;s holistic approach creates a fun\, welcoming\, and acces sible experience for all ages and abilities\, inviting attendees to active ly participate by bringing shakers or light percussion instruments and joi ning in the collective rhythm. \; We will have a limited number of dje mbes (West African Drums) for people to use. \; Please bring your own shaker or small drum if you have one. \;
\nAbout the Pre senters:
\nLara Gonzalez is a multidiscipl inary humanitarian artist and arts educator who believes creativity is our essence and that art is for everyone. A passionate creator and lifelong d ancer\, she uses the creative and performing arts to foster self-knowledge \, healing\, empowerment\, and awareness\, both for herself and the commun ities she serves. Lara is a Life Center Stage Teaching Artist and the Co-F ounder and Artistic Director of Marafanyi Drum\, Dance &\; Song\, a per formance and educational group honoring West African music and dance. Thro ugh this work\, she has shared the stage with renowned artists including A ngé\;lique Kidjo\, Habib Koité\;\, Sierra Leone Refugee All St ars\, Odetta\, Ram Dass\, Carl Hancock Rux\, and DJ Spooky. A versatile mu sician\, arranger\, and director\, Lara created the multimedia performance piece &ldquo\;Marafanyi Meets the Mural: Alaa Awad&rsquo\;s &lsquo\;Justi ce&rsquo\; Becomes a Catalyst for a Community Collaboration\,&rdquo\; supp orted in part by the National Endowment for the Arts. Her artistic journey includes guest performances with Ronald K. Brown&rsquo\;s Evidence: A Dan ce Company and appearances in Nick Cave&rsquo\;s iconic Soundsuits at MASS MoCA. She has also pursued immersive study in Havana\, Cuba\, exploring Y oruba traditions\, and connected this experience to her heritage through a n ancestral pilgrimage to Mexico&rsquo\;s Yucatá\;n Peninsula. A 202 2 and 2020 Arts Professional Learning Institute Fellow\, Lara has been a F aculty Artist and workshop presenter with NJPAC since 1999 and designs inc lusive arts and wellness programming for people with disabilities. She hol ds a BA in Studio Art and Art History from Fordham University.
\nFun ding has been made possible in part by funds from Morris Arts through the New Jersey State Council on the Arts/Department of State\, a Partner Agenc y of the National Endowment for the Arts.
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