Diane Venzera
Kwanzaa Celebration: Celebrating Family, Community, and Culture
Kwanzaa is the focus of a three-part lesson that celebrates the history and traditions of the holiday. Before lighting the Kinara, scholars listen to a read-aloud of Seven Candles of Kwanzaa by Andrea Davis Pinkney. Learners express...
Curated OER
Exploring the Roots of Modern Dance in America
Students develop an understanding of how African culture impacted modern dance in the United States.
Curated OER
Similarities Between African Folktales And French Folktales
Students study the importance of the Storyteller in ancient times as well as in modern times. They realize that this is an art essential to the development and evolution of the mind and that today more than ever we need to rely on...
Curated OER
Folktale through African Art
Students study folktales and other stories from West Africa. By hearing and reading these stories they explore many new cultural and religious beliefs, such as spirits inhabiting nature and possessing special powers. Once the students...
Curated OER
Using the Patterns and Symbols of Mali Mud Cloth to Convey Identity
Students participate in relating the role of the arts in defining identity. They examine the community in West African society and how members of that community define their role. They view how artifacts, music and performance can...
Curated OER
Making Masks
Students create paper masks linking the function and purpose of masks in the past, with modern life.
Yale University
Living Pictures Representing the History of Black Dance
A brief history of black dance in America, includes dance pioneers in jazz dance, ballet, and modern dance.
Other
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Revelations
A description of the dance Revelations, choreographed by Alvin Ailey. The dance was first performed on January 31, 1960, and made Ailey an overnight sensation in the dance world. Includes video and photographs, as well as links to videos...
Other
Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater: Repertory
Description and information about works in the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre repertory.
Black Past
Black Past: Alvin Ailey Dance Theater
This brief encyclopedia entry describes the creation and development of the dance company Alvin Ailey began. There is a link to a website that will take you to the theater's web page.
Black Past
Black Past: Rap/hip Hop
This encyclopedia entry gives a brief history of rap and hip hop and the influences of the music on modern culture.