WE ARTS – COBA (Collective of Black Artists) celebrates 15 years with YEBO!

COBA, Collective of Black Artists leaps boldly into its 15th year with YEBO! – a season program that pays homage to African traditions and blazes an exciting trail for the future of contemporary dance.

Following a two-year creative hiatus, COBA’s artistic co-founders BaKari E. Lindsay and Charmaine Headley are gearing up a rejuvenated company to satisfy faithful COBA followers and new audiences alike with the Toronto premiere of two new dance creations: Cross Currents, a highly anticipated African contemporary piece by Lindsay; and Doundoun dance (Hibbert), a recreation of a women’s traditional drumming dance from Guinea.

Both pieces will be unveiled February 29 to March 2 at the Premiere Dance Theatre when COBA takes YEBO! to the stage during Black History Month as part of the Harbourfront Centre’s NextSteps series of globally-inspired dance from Canada’s best.

Also on the program is the return of acclaimed South African dance master Mantsoe’s Bodika / Sessions, an avant-garde fusion of traditional African physicality with Balinese dance and martial arts.

COBA will make its first UK appearance in May with the international premiere of a new co-creation (commissioned by dance Immersion) between the Collective and the London UK-based Tavaziva Dance Company.

An exclusive YEBO! sneak preview concert is set for February 12 at the Richard Bradshaw Amphitheatre in the prestigious Four Seasons Centre for the Performing Arts. (www.coc.ca/performances/concerts.html)

COBA presents YEBO! at Premiere Dance Theatre, 235 Queens Quay West, Feb 29-Mar 1 at 8pm; Mar 2 at 3pm Tickets: $25-$30 ($20-$25 students & seniors) Box Office: 416-973-4000 or http://www.harbourfrontcentre.com/.

Founded in 1993, COBA’s mission is to promote the finest traditions of African, Caribbean and contemporary dance through research, education and performance. The company’s critically-acclaimed repertoire of over 25 pieces includes traditional African, Caribbean and contemporary works – some commissioned by renowned Senegalese, Haitian and South African choreographers. Visit http://www.cobainc.com/ to learn more.