GIWAYEN MATA TO PERFORM SEPTEMBER 13 IN THE GILLIAM CONCERT HALL

Performance to showcase critically-acclaimed, Atlanta-based, all-female, dance, percussion and vocal ensemble. Troupe has had an ASL (American Sign Language) interpeter for past five years.

Baltimore, MD (PRWEB) August 30, 2003 -- The Murphy Fine Arts Center presents the Atlanta-based, all-female, dance, percussion and vocal group, Giwayen Mata (pronounced GEE–wy–enn MAH-tah) on Friday, September 13, 2003 in the Gilliam Concert Hall. The name Giwayen Mata is from the West African (northern Nigeria, parts of Ghana, Niger and Togo) Hausa language; and it means 'Elephant Leaders of Women.' Giwayen Mata is an Atlanta-based, all-sistah," dance, percussion and vocal group.

A critically-acclaimed ensemble, Giwayen Mata is celebrating its 10th year with a new concert performance entitled Speak Sistah Speak" that includes works by nationally-acclaimed choreographers as well as their own ground-breaking works choreographed in-house." Their 10th year celebration also marks the release of their first CD Speak Sistah Speak!"

Giwayen Matas has a very loyal, very large following in the Atlanta area; and one of the groups proud achievements is performing in the closing ceremonies of the 1996 U.S. Olympics. Some of the groups members have performed with the pop group TLC.

Roni Sarig of Creative Loafing Atlanta writes: Giwayen Mata communicates with a force and eloquence that manages to get its message across regardless, no matter where you are now or where your ancestors lived 300 years ago . . . and it makes the heart race to keep up."

Giwayen Mata has had an ASL (American Sign Language) interpreter/drummer as part of the group for the past 5 years—making their performances terrific entertainment for the hearing impaired. Giwayen Matas troupe members are trained in ballet, jazz, modern, hip-hop, Afrikan and Caribbean dance and rhythms, production and stage-managing, studio percussion, and background vocals—skills used in the companys work and used to enhance the work of other artists.

This special performance of Giwayen Mata is entitled, Speak Sistah Speak!" – on the campus of Morgan State University – will feature three generations of Morgan State University students: Zanaida Bynum-Roberson, a current student (class of 2006); E. Tyree Thornton, a 1982 graduate; and Dr. Mildred McKinney, a (circa) 1956 graduate and current MSU faculty member.
Their repertoire is loaded with works that are an eyeful, an earful, and a ‘heart-full: with stunning costumes, explosive choreography, amazing drumming—all dedicated to bringing the rhythms and movements of the Afrikan Diaspora to audiences of all ages, ethnicities and backgrounds.

The visuals (i.e. costumes and rhythmic and creative choreography) of Giwayen Mata, the sounds of the enchanting music, vocals and the mesmerizing percussion—rounded out by the sign language interpretation make this a total entertainment package.

Giwayen Mata will perform one show only on Friday, September 13, 2003 at 7:30 PM in the Gilliam Concert Hall. Ticket prices are $5 for Morgan State University students; $10 for other students (i.e., non-MSU); and $25 general admission.

Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster (www.ticketmaster.com or 410-481-SEAT / 202-432-SEAT / 800-527-6384) and at the Morgan State University box office (443-885-1522).

Related websites:    www.giwayenmata.com
         www.atlanta.creativeloafing.com/2003-05-29/feature.html
         www.murphyfineartscenter.org/mfac/mfac.htm

The Carl J. Murphy Fine Arts Center, located on the Southeast edge of the Morgan State University campus, opened its doors in December, 2001. Since then, the Murphy Fine Arts Center has showcased world-renowned performers such as Ray Charles, the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra, and INDIA.Arie. The Murphy Fine Arts Centers tagline: Northeast Baltimores Gateway to the Arts," underscores the Centers commitment to delivering a breadth of genres, artists, performers and entertainers to Baltimore-Washington area audiences in a state-of-the-art facility.

The centerpiece of this great venue is the James H. and Louise Hayley Gilliam Concert Hall, with seating for over 2,000. With the Concert Hall, and three other performance spaces, the Murphy Fine Arts Center is able to accommodate a wider range of productions than any other facility in Baltimore: from Broadway / off-Broadway productions–to studio theatre; musical performances from symphony–to recital; or dance performances from chorus lines–to classical ballet–to African dance.

The Murphy Fine Arts Center is located at 2201 Argonne Drive in northeast Baltimore, and is 4½ miles north of downtown Baltimore and 5 miles south of the Baltimore beltway (I-695).

www.murphyfineartscenter.org

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