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Tabanka Crew African & Caribbean Peoples Dance Ensemble

Tabanka Crew is the largest and hottest African & Caribbean Peoples Dance Crew, in northern Europe (main base in Norway). We specialize in amongst other things styles within; Soca, Dancehall, Reggae, Calypso, Zouk, Sabar, Orisha, Soukouss, Haitian, Mapouka, African House, Traditional African, Traditional Caribbean and African American dance.

Founded in 2008 by Artistic Director, Dancer, Choreographer, Thomas Talawa Prestø, the Norwegian based dance company has been celebrating the dance and culture of African & Caribbean People all over the world since its founding. Drawing largely from the technique of traditional dances, yet with a modern twist, Tabankas lively presentations unmask stereotypes while entertaining audiences and keeping the magic alive.

Tabanka Crew utilizes the language of African & Caribbean dance forms as the basis for movement development and artistic expression. African dance is approached from a contemporary perspective. This has created an original dance language, intercontinental in nature, that speaks for itself.

The company’s main objectives are:

1. To preserve and promote African and Caribbean dance heritage in a modern and Norwegian/European context, by creating and presenting professional choreographic works, built on Caribbean Afro-European, and African traditions.

 

2. To establish cultural exchanges among all ethnic groups, by celebrating and educating them of Africas and African Peoples (worldwide, also includes latino etc.) rich culture and the influence of African culture to the Americas and the world.

 

3. Educating an elite force of dancers, specialize in APD (African peoples dance), based in Northern Europe, who will use their knowledge, talent and creativity in order to educate, develop, innovate, and broaden dance as an art- form. Herein including APD as a major contributor to modern, urban, commercial and artistic dance as we know it.

 

Tabanka Crew achieves these objectives by its creation and presentation of educational, cultural and recreational events. The company conducts workshops, lectures, and performs new works in concerts and festivals to reach the greater community. The founding of Tabanka was exactly what was needed to add to the rich cultural diversity of Norway. It is imperative that people learn about the rich dance heritage of African People, from Jazz to Hip Hop, Reggae, Traditional and innovative hybrids, and its contribution to the modern dance in the Americas and the world.