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About Portland observer. (Portland, Or.) 1970-current | View Entire Issue (Dec. 7, 1983)
Portland Observer. December 7. 1983 Page 3 METROPOLITAN la ftitw -If»* Tja MHÇ2. MgMÍÍ o n s.W . 6th Avenue Portland. OR 9720* Phone 228-8448 Christmas Traditional African ballet tells story _ by Lamta Duke G n ssro o l world of News. N W .—In a contrived, high-gloss choreography, enters the traditional talents of the Northwest Afrikan American Ballet. Under the direction of master drummer Bruce Smith this fifteen- piece dance troupe is gearing up for a performance/celebration to mark its first anniversary. Smith said their steps are more than movements. "The steps that we make are thousands of years old. They are gestures for a story." One of the stories the N.W. Afri kan/American Ballet will perform is an all-male piece called "Lenjon." It is a traditional dance done by young men in West Africa to sym bolize their strength after they are circumcised.” Smith added, "The dances we’re doing are the popular dances people are doing in clubs and at parties. But we are doing the same dance in its original form—in the raw.” Smith said he believed the tradi tional dimension of the Afrikan/ American Ballet gives the group a certain kind of freshness. "This * — — — _• rich u sound.” i •• Smith creates his rhythm on the D'jembe drum. “ The very construc tion of the D’jembe drum is differ ent from the L.agin congo drums. The congo drum is made from the skin of a baby calf; it is thick and produces a different sound. The D ’jembe drum is made from goat skins and is thinner. It produces a more transparent, high-pitched sound.” He called the beat created by the D’jembe drum "infectious.” The Northwest Afrikan/Ameri can Ballet will commemorate its first year by performing next Satur day, December 17th, at Jefferson High School. Smith wants the com munity to come and watch their mu sical history unfold on the stage "We are not just into music but staging as well. It is not just a thea T h e N o rth w e e t A fr ik a n /A m e ric a n Ballet w ill p e rfo rm tra d itio n a l trical thing We are going behond m uaic and dances a t Je ffa rs o H igh neat S atu rd ay n ig h t. the theatrical lighting We will re (P h oto : R ich ard J. B ro w n ) create the sun, moon, stars and sky. In Afrika » e worship those elements type that Afrikan music is just type of dance is unique, energetic and they are a strong part of our ex drums We are incorporating local and spiritual.” He said he spear musicians who play traditional in istence." headed the formation of the group Smith is dedicating the perform struments like the wood flute and to help build a major dance com ance to his father. Cleophus Smith. the balafon—the original xylo pany in the Pacific Northwest. Sr., who died December 1st, 1981. phone. They both produce a warm. "We want to destroy the stereo- 25% - 50% OFF r ., l 14K. Diam ond P e n d a n ts ................ ’ 162" .. ....... ’76°° •396~.. ......... *200°° I U K . Diam ond Rings........................ ■UK. Jade and Diam ond Rings. *240** |U K . Diam ond Earrings................... •180~ Colley for the Chair by just one vote. The Branch will also vote for eight at-large members of the Na tional Board. Mrs. Wilson, who challenged Benjamin Hooks for leadership, and was defeated by the Board this summer, says she will run for the Board, but not for the Chairman ship. Recently she attributed her troubles to “ sexism” on the part of the National Board. Some members say the reason that more women are not on the National Board is more likely the economy than discrimina tion, one of the Branch's long-time members believes. NAACP pays the way for Board members to only one National Board meeting—the an nual meeting in January. All the rest must be paid for by the Board Mem ber, or by their Branch if the Branch * Free I * Free 14K 14K. floating heart with every purchase over * 5 0 ° * I floating heart with diamond for any purchase over , 1 0 0 0 ,l W e also offer quality jewelry and watch repairs SABRINA’S Hair Boutique Demos back bus strike The Multnomah County Demo cratic Central Committee, at its De cember 1st meeting, voted to go on record in support of the nationwide Greyhound strike, involving 12,700 drivers, mechanics, ticket takers and other workers, members of the AFL-CIO Amalgamated Transit union, and join the call by the na tional AFL-CIO for a boycott of Greyhound bus and parcel service. Democrats are invited to join in Greyhound picketing in the name ot the Multnomah County Democratic Central Committee. In light of Greyhound's current employment practices, the Central Committee recommended that further consideration be given to the decision to use public funds for the construction of a new Greyhound terminal in Portland. Low Income Energy Assistance Program W h o 1» eligible: Eligibility varies depending on household income. You must apply and have proof of all household income. You must be within 125% of the poverty guidelines Medical cost can be deducted before determining household income Determining household income - example A one person household with an income under »6.075 could be eligible Another example would be a household of four would need to have an income under »12,375 to top Grandmothers in seal sales. Seals may be obtained from any of the Grandmothers at the various churches. For information call the NAACP office—afternoon» only— at 284-7722 or get in touch with either Mrs Harrebell Pans, Mount Olivet Baptist Church; Mrs. Ruthie Bryant, Vancouver Avenue First Baptist church; or Vivian Richard son. Holy Redeemer Lutheran Church. Anyone who is over 17 is eligible to vote if they have been a branch member for 10 days prior to Decern ber 1 Ith. can afford it, and not many Branches can. "As things go in the U .S., more men than women can af ford this expense. In actuality, not many women run for the position, and economics is the probable rea son.” The Branch has received its an nual supply of Freedom Seals and the Orandmother-of-the-Year con test is under way. Mrs. Hazel G. Hays, President, has appointed Gen Ward as Seal Chairman. Mrs. Ward is First Vice President of the Branch. There will be awards of substantial worth awarded to the 7414 N. A lb in a • 286-1189 (oH Lombardi < Explore Ben’s Country with our free 1984 calendar. Pick up your free 1984 calendar today at The Benj Franklin nearest you But hurry, this offer is good only while supplies last See the spectacular sights of the Northwest without ever leaving your home The Benj Franklin s free 1984 calendar brings you twelve full color prints of some of the region's most majestic mountain peaks, enchanted forests and breathtaking coastlines It's a real sightseeing adventure With photographs by some of the best-known Northwest pl«otographers Bank w ith an old frien d . The Beni. Franklin O w r 10 o f f l c « in the greater Portland area to serve yoe Deposits insure 1 to $100.000 by th e ! s u e be eligible. W h a t do you need to ap p ly fo r this help: You must provide proof of all household income during the last 90 days or 12 months. You must also provide a current electric bill and heating bill from your present address, and proof of paid medical insurance premiums and paid medical bills over the last 12 months Proof of Social Security numbers for all members of household over 18 years of age I W h o do I c o n tact; For further information, contact Urban League Energy Assistance Pro U rban League Senior C enter 4128 N .E. U nion P o rtlan d . OR 97211 W EEKDAYS 288 8338 H o lly w o o d S en ior C enter 1820 N .E 40th A ve P o rtlan d . OR 97212 W EEKDAYS 288 8303 I t 1 •s Senior Citizens (ag s 80 o r over only): League R e id O ffic e I.E. U n io n . R o o m 218 P o rtlan d . OR 97211 (603) 249 5808 I P ro g ram 313 Public S ervice Bldg S elem . O R 97310 1 1 Appointment (not seniors): Sch edu led a p p o in tm e n ts w ill be M o n d e y th ru T h u rsd ay, 9:16 to 1 1 :3 0 a .m ., and 1:16 to 3:46 p .m . « ....... *120°° ....... * 8 0 ° ° Plus m uch, m uch m orell NAACP to elect Board members The Portland Branch of the Na tional Association for the Advance ment of Colored People will meet on the second sunday o f December instead of the third Sunday due to the holiday. The meeting will be held December I Ith at 4:00 p.m ., at the Allen Temple CME, 4.126 N.E. 8th Avenue. The public is always welcome. The annual election of Board Members for National NAACP will be on the agenda. The nominee for the West Coast Rgion NAACP is Nathaniel Colley, selected by the Regional Caucus at the Convention in New Orleans last summer. Colley is being challenged by a woman at torney from Los Angenes who is said to be a supporter of Margaret Bush Wilson. When Mrs. Wilson was elected in 1976 she defeated NOW «r
