Welcome to the Nia Network: A Program Bureau, a division of Celeste Bateman & Associates. The program bureau features visual and performing artists, historians, writers and motivational speakers of African descent who present in various venues nationally and internationally. CB&A has compiled a roster of extraordinarily talented individuals who are available to perform and present at colleges and universities, performing arts centers, schools, churches, corporations, festivals, trade shows, etc. What makes this program bureau unique is that all of the participants present topics and art forms pertaining to the African Diaspora.
Nia is the Swahili word for ‘purpose.’ Our purpose is to promulgate what is rich and positive about African, Caribbean, and African-American culture, history, heritage and art. For booking information, email us at info@celestebateman.com or call 973.705.8253.
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to take on additional artists/speakers at this time, but please feel free to forward your information for future consideration.
Nia is the Swahili word for ‘purpose.’ Our purpose is to promulgate what is rich and positive about African, Caribbean, and African-American culture, history, heritage and art. For booking information, email us at info@celestebateman.com or call 973.705.8253.
PLEASE NOTE: We are unable to take on additional artists/speakers at this time, but please feel free to forward your information for future consideration.
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The Seventh Principle Drum & Dance Ensemble
The Seventh Principle Drum & Dance Ensemble is a contemporary African dance company founded in 1992 by artistic director Candace M. Hundley-Kamate. The Seventh Principle is Swahili for "Imani" which is derived from the Seventh Principle of Kwanzaa, an African-American cultural holiday. The Company fuses traditional African, modern, and contemporary movement styles such as hip-hop, freestyle, street, and popular dance, into an innovative approach to performance.
Through dance and music, The Seventh Principle Drum & Dance Ensemble connects past and present cultures through education, African traditions, and the creative fusion of the African and American cultures. Their dance stories include a diverse range of narratives that portray history and experiences from a Pan-African persepctive.
The Company's main objective is to heighten awareness of African dance and culture through expression of this unique art form. Their program objectives are 1) to present positive images of culture and history from an African perspective; 2) to encourage multi-cultural sensitivity and awareness through African-based culture, and 3)to promote cross-cultural understanding, and encourage others to reclaim their culture.
Their repertoire includes African storytelling, spoken word, folklore, history and experiences from a Pan-African perspective. The ensemble generally includes seven dancers and five musicians. The Umfundailai Technique (Swahili for “Essence”), is a workshop that combines African and Caribbean dance with modern dance technique in a training program for professional artists and choreographers. Seventh Principle is available for performances (90 min.), workshops & residencies (by arrangement), lecture/demonstrations, assembly programs (30-50 min.) and African dance classes.
Through dance and music, The Seventh Principle Drum & Dance Ensemble connects past and present cultures through education, African traditions, and the creative fusion of the African and American cultures. Their dance stories include a diverse range of narratives that portray history and experiences from a Pan-African persepctive.
The Company's main objective is to heighten awareness of African dance and culture through expression of this unique art form. Their program objectives are 1) to present positive images of culture and history from an African perspective; 2) to encourage multi-cultural sensitivity and awareness through African-based culture, and 3)to promote cross-cultural understanding, and encourage others to reclaim their culture.
Their repertoire includes African storytelling, spoken word, folklore, history and experiences from a Pan-African perspective. The ensemble generally includes seven dancers and five musicians. The Umfundailai Technique (Swahili for “Essence”), is a workshop that combines African and Caribbean dance with modern dance technique in a training program for professional artists and choreographers. Seventh Principle is available for performances (90 min.), workshops & residencies (by arrangement), lecture/demonstrations, assembly programs (30-50 min.) and African dance classes.