The rhythm is gonna get ya this weekend when NAfro Dance Productions presents Let Me Dance Before I’m Gone, another one of its stellar productions. This time, the Osborne Village-based troupe is incorporating the rhythms of Africa and the Caribbean.

Lulu Sala is more often seen as NAfro’s sole male dancer. For Let Me Dance Before I’m Gone, he’s performing double duty, taking on the role of choreographer as well.

He describes his piece, “Paths,” as African contemporary – a lot of African, but with other styles, such as Trinidadian calypso, thrown in.

“ The meaning of the Trinidadian song is to bring the spirits together to party, after which we pray to send them back.

Lulu Sala, NAfro dancer

“My people believe that life is predestined and that the main source of trouble is not accepting the path you are on,” Sala said, taking a break for rehearsals at NAfro Dance’s studio. “The meaning of the Trinidadian song is to bring the spirits together to party, after which we pray to send them back.”

And party they shall. Sala said that African dance is “body expression.” The style of dance is exuberant, with a heavy emphasis on rhythm. Movement arises from the hips, accompanied by expressive arm movements in a display that is the expression of freedom.

Paula Blair, who has been dancing with NAfro since its first show almost 10 year ago, will also perform.

“I was interested in working off of the images of power struggles and the different dynamics between men and women,” she said of her piece, titled “Eliza Phillips.”

“Of course, Lulu is outnumbered, as he will be dancing with four women.”

Poor guy!

Blair’s piece comes more from the contemporary dance background than the African.

“Contemporary dance is more linear, more limb oriented,” she explained. “With African, there are many more possibilities as to how you move the body.”

Both of the styles of dance can be seen Casimiro Nhussi’s titular piece, “Let Me Dance Before I’m Gone,” which reconciles the African with the contemporary.

So let the people hear music and let them dance – NAfro’s going to party all night long.

Published in Volume 63, Number 22 of The Uniter (March 5, 2009)