|
|
|
Performing at many prestigious venues, such as: United Nations-NY, AFRICA, CARIBBEAN, Political Inaugurations, NAACP National Convention, NJPAC-NJ, Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM)-NY, War Memorial (Trenton, NJ), Sony Blockbuster Entertainment Ctr., Tweeter Ctr.-NJ, New Jersey State Aquarium, Kimmel Ctr.-PHILA., Forum-Harrisburg, PA, Taj Mahal Casino-NJ, Trump Casino-NJ.Sands Casino-NJ, Show Boat Casino-NJ, Academy of Music-PHILA., International African Arts Festival-NY, Mann Center-PHILA., Robin Hood Dell-Phila., WDAS Unity Day-PHILA,, Odunde-PHILA., West Oak Lane Jazz & Arts Festival-PHILA, Penns Landing-PHILA., The famous UniverSoul Circus, Six Flags GREAT ADVENTURE, Expos, Performing Art Centers, Museums, Convention Centers, Festivals, Colleges, Universities, Schools, Fraternity & Sorority National Conventions, Government & State Agencies, United States Arm Force Facilities, City Halls, Fortune 500 or High Profile Corporate Events and many community events all over this country. Seen by millions on Local, National, International and Cable Television, such as: Charles Perez Show- 1995, National News Networks, Positive Impact (JOE PISCOPO) Show, NBC-Today's Show - Matt Lauer & Katie Couric with Joe Piscopo-2003, SPIKE TV- 2005, C-SPAN (International)- Millions More Movement 2005, CNN- (JOE PISCOPO-2007), TLC CABLE- 2009, WPVI 6, WCAU 10, KYW 3, WTXF 29, WPHL 17, WYBE 35, CN8 and many local TV shows around the U.S.A. since 1984. Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble BIO - BELOW
UNIVERSAL AFRICAN DANCE & DRUM ENSEMBLE, founded and directed by Robert and wife Wanda Dickerson in 1984 and co-directed by their oldest son Jamal and wife Ronsha Dickerson, has grown to be one of the largest professional African Dance & Drum Ensembles in the United States of America. The Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble headquartered in Camden, New Jersey which includes members from Camden, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Africa. The Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble has also been blessed
and sanctioned the best of its kind as an
African-American Dance & Drum Troupe in America by scholars, historians and
African Djelis (historians). They strive to be sensational
and electrifying with their amazing
Stilt Walkers, Dancers, Drummers, Ground
Masquerades and with an exciting acrobatic show. The Universal African Dance & Drum
Ensemble has performed at many prominent and prestigious events in this country,
including performing for and honoring leaders of countries, celebrities, politicians,
religious, business and community leaders. The Universal African
Dance & Drum Ensemble's teachers and officials, have been taught by many great teachers
from many countries in Africa. They are known for their West
African presentations, of Guinea, Senegal, Mali, Ghana, Ivory Coast,
Nigeria, The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, and more. They have been blessed to have learned songs,
dance and drum from a famous South African troupe called
Thula Sizwe.
In 2007, Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble also had the privilege to learn
and perform with a wonderful group from KENYA, East Africa, called
The Friends of Sironka African Dance Troupe. All members of the Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble are Martial Artist (Karate) practitioners, from the 4-time Hall of Fame Karate School, called the Universal Pasha Karate School (UPK). The group is made up of various inner-city African-American families of contrasting religions and different ways of life. This proves through the understanding of love and discipline, while practicing, working and training together, that UNITY can exist in the inner cities of America and other communities. Everyone should honor, respect and appreciate the culture from which African Americans (black people) of America originate. The Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble presents to you, family values and the beauty of African Culture. One of the Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble's goals, is to help African Americans or Black People understand the importance of honoring their place of origin, AFRICA, (The MOTHERLAND), while at the same time helping the African Family appreciate that there are African Americans helping to build between the two, UNITY, through emphasizing the AFRICAN DIASPORA, HISTORY, EDUCATION and the PERFORMING ARTS. Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble is honored to represent the beauty of African Culture in America. They love and admire many African troupes all over Africa. Les Ballet Africains from West Africa (Guinea), has been their mentors, role-models, teachers and the group that they have modeled themselves after. The Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble presents a powerful, sensational, electrifying and educational performances for everyone and especially for African-Americans (black people) in America to easily appreciate their culture. Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble's identity, signature and highlighted performances of 4 generations of performers are how they represent the beauty of family with babies, teenagers, adults and elders performing traditional African songs, instruments, dance and drum. Universal African Dance & Drum Ensemble has been considered to be the trend setters for this kind of performances all over America. They are very happy to witness people of many races, religions, cultures and ways of life, appreciating their performances of Love, Discipline, Culture and Family. The kind words of encouragement from thousands of people from all over the world, has been very inspiring. This appreciation helps Universal to stay strong, preserving and representing the beauty of African culture and most of all FAMILY.
**************************************************************************************************************************** |
|
|
nsemble
and the
