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The tales of legendary women
being brought to life this Saturday at Immortal Passion! A
Fiery Concert of African Dance & Music are “inspiring
beyond belief,” says the globe-trotting dancer and producer of the
show, Malena Amusa, founder of AddLife! Studio.
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There’s the
story of Sharifa, an African-American woman who boldly provokes her
Baptist church to champion her African roots.
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There’s the
story of a Japanese woman, so beautiful that state law bans men
from seeing her, until one day, she snags the heart of Japan’s
president.
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There’s the
story of India’s Hindu goddess, Radha, whose heart burns with so
much passion, she inspires an entire nation to believe in
love.
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“Through
mesmerizing African dance and music, the stories of these global
women will gain legs and wings,” Amusa says. “As they fly, you will
want to fly with them.”
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And then
there’s the story of Malena Amusa, age 27, who is starring in her
own concert that she designed specifically to excite the creative
imagination of her hometown, St. Louis.
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“From the
moment you walk into the theater, you will be totally engaged,”
says Amusa. “Dancers will lunge out at you. Singers will grab your
hands. This is the most daring, cutting-edge concert experience I
have produced.”
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Immortal
Passion!
“font-size: 9.0pt; font-family: Verdana;”>is Amusa’s third concert of dance, drama, and music in St. Louis.
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“Like Tyler
Perry, I want to put up productions that make us holler and
celebrate. Like Oprah, I want to promote a whole generation of
brilliant people,” Amusa says.
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As she
explains her mission, Amusa talks at rapid speed, flails her arms
in the air, and smiles from ear-to-ear. Her eyes are lit up with
energy.
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“I don’t
sleep at night many times,” she says. “I’m always thinking, ‘what
more can I do to inspire the world?’ I want to lead a movement of
artists obsessed with this question.”
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Anneliese
Hubbard, a dancer and costume designer for Immortal
Passion! is happy to be among the concert’s cast
of artists.
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“Malena is
bringing so many dynamic performers together,” Hubbard says. “And
she takes risks, combining dances from Mali, Senegal and Guinea.
It’s explosive.”
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For one of
the pieces in which Hubbard plays a Japanese geisha, Hubbard has
carefully designed a costume which fuses the best of African and
Japanese aesthetics.
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“Art is my
fountain of youth,” says Hubbard, founder of Hazel Wear fashion and
jewelry line. “I feel liberated to be able to express my
art.”
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Immortal
Passion! A Fiery Concert of African Dance, Music, & Legendary
Tales of Women from Africa, America, India, and Japan will take
place Saturday, August 13, at 8 p.m. at Legacy Books &
Café, 5249 Delmar Blvd. Tickets are $15 at the door. Call
(314) 458 -4282 to reserve. For more information, visit
“http://www.addlifestudio.com/”>www.AddLifeStudio.com
