Presented with community partners Blackout Art Society, the Vancouver Latin American Cultural Centre and Latincouver
Vancouver Playhouse (600 Hamilton Street)
Running time: 60 minutes (no intermission)
Pre-show Talk at 7:15pm for evening performances and 1:15pm for the matinee in the Upper Lobby
Post-show Social following Friday’s performance in the Salon
“Dance is a voice in favor of equity. It helped us survive in times of slavery. It was our voice when we were denied the word. It became a narrative, a memory and a hope for the future.” – Rafael Palacios, choreographer
Created in celebration of Colombia’s 159th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery, The City of Others takes apart the country’s history and culture to examine its complex and often agonizing past.
For thousands of people, cities can be a place of hostility, loneliness, and discrimination. Palacios believes that for life to be positive and constructive for collective communities, it is necessary to embrace the extended family concept prevalent in rural communities: what I own is for everyone; under my roof, there is room for someone else.
With the second largest Afro-descent population in Latin America, Colombia’s diasporic communities have suffered discrimination and inequality. In The City of Others, twelve dancers and musicians occupy the stage, laying claim to political and social power, reconstituting the theatrical space as a site of democracy, equality, and wholeness. This is their city – it is everyone’s city.
Introducing new family & youth (under 18) pricing for matinee performances. Learn more at dancehouse.ca/tickets
The City of Others was created in celebration of Colombia’s 159th Anniversary of the Abolition of Slavery. It was commissioned by the Mayor’s Office of Medellín, Casa de Integración Afrocolombiana, 2010.
“The evening’s revelation was Sankofa’s ‘The City of Others’, an episodic work about urban struggle and resilience.” - Siobhan Burke, The New York Times
“Judicious in form, resonant with meaning, and delivered in dance languages that ran the gamut from diasporic African to Latinised hip-hop” - Apollinaire Scherr, Financial Times
“Exhilarating … [a] forward-looking use of tradition. …evokes an urban environment where resilience meets harsh realities.” —The New York Times
The term “Sankofa” comes from Ashanti (Ghana), meaning, in essence, to go back to the root.
Sankofa Danzafro is Colombia’s leading contemporary dance company. Founded by Rafael Palacios in 1997, the company focuses on Afro-Colombian and contemporary dance forms, blending traditional African dance elements with original, powerful choreography. Sankofa Danzafro aims to explore and celebrate the rich cultural heritage of Afro-Colombian communities while addressing contemporary social issues.
Rafael Palacios, the Artistic Director, is motivated by a compelling mission: to rewrite the history of African Diasporic communities in Colombia and throughout the globe. His inspiration stems from the recognition that historical narratives have traditionally been shaped and documented by the oppressors, often marginalizing and silencing the voices of the oppressed.
For more than two decades, Palacios, a disciple of Germaine Acogny, has channeled his motivation into his artistic work. By collaborating with the dancers and musicians of Sankofa Danzafro, Palacios creates performances that aim to retell history from the perspective of those who have been historically ignored. Through dance and music, Palacios seeks to give a voice to the oppressed, reclaiming their history and share their experiences.
Sankofa Danzafro has become a powerful vehicle for cultural expression and social commentary. The company’s performances showcase the beauty of Afro-Colombian dance, but also serve as a platform for addressing social issues, challenging historical narratives, and advocating for the recognition and empowerment of marginalized communities. Palacios’ commitment to amplifying the voices of the oppressed contributes significantly to the broader discourse on representation, equality, and social justice through the medium of dance.
Feliciano began training and performing in 1990 with group Novatos de Turbo for regional performances of dance and music, and as a percussionist of Drums of Urabá in 1993. Later he joined Ballet Folclórico de Urabá, directed by Marino Sánchez (1998). In 2000 he moved to Medellín and joined various artistic projects such as: Danza Caracumbé (2001), Corporación Barrio Comparsa (2001), Grupo Danzas por Colombia (2002), Musical Group Canto Arena (2003) and Grupo Musical Velé (2003.). He has been a member of Sankofa Danzafro since 2005. He was awarded with the EDIT School Burkina Faso Internship (2009) among other recognitions.
Piter is a passionate dancer with two decades of experience in urban dances and Latin rhythms. Piter is originally from Cali, Colombia. He has forged much of his artistic and professional career participating in national events and has been District Councilor for Culture of the city of Cali, representing vibrant urban cultures. Currently, he combines his love for art with his studies in business administration. As a prominent member of the Sankofa Danzafro company, under the direction of maestro Rafael Palacios since 2022.
Diego has been a member of Crew Peligrosos, since 2004, in the form of Bboying (Break Dance). He was part of the first generation of the school 4 Elements Skuela where he now serves as an instructor. He is a student and practitioner of the Hip Hop culture, and he has stood out for his own style. Since 2010 he has been a member of SANKOFA DANZAFRO, where he researches the dialogue between urban dance, traditional Afro-Colombian dances, and different African contemporary dance as its axis.
Liliana is currently studying sociology at the University of Antioquia. She is a company member of Sankofa Danzafro, and she has participated in national and international festivals. Liliana is also a member of the Itinerant School of training in gender, with emphasis on Afro-descendant black women and the diaspora. She has attended training workshops in different dance techniques such as Colombian traditional of the Atlantic coast with Wilfran Barrios and traditional of the Pacific coast with Ninosca Salamandra, Afro-contemporary with Rafael Palacios, as well as traditional African with Gorsy Edú of Guinea Conakry.
Juan José, born in the municipality of Arboletes, Antioquia, is a musician and performer of folk instruments of the Colombian Caribbean coast. He is a member of Sankofa Danzafro since 2012 with which he has attended national and international festivals (China, Jamaica, Canada, United States, Peru). Thanks to that tour, he was invited to the Barro Project in Medellín in 2012. In 2013 he joins Wangari Dance Company directed by Yndira Perea and the musical group Black Explosion directed by Harrison Palacios.
Sandra Vanesa was born in Medellín (Antioquia) where she graduated high school with an emphasis in Graphic Design Technique at the Blanquizal Educational Institution. She is currently studying Early Childhood Care at the Nafoem Polytechnic. In the city of Medellín, she has been part of numerous dance groups such as: Afro Power, La Unión Master, Afrokiamba, Dance Network of Medellín 2014 – 2017, and Wangari Dance Company participating as a dancer for the Flower Fair and the Festival of Myths and Legends. She has been a company member of Sankofa Danzafro since 2017, and has participated in national and international events performing “The City of Others”. She was part of the dance cast for “Crew Peligrosos Sinfónico”.
María Elena was born on October 12, 1983, in the Cantón of San Pablo (Chocó, Colombia) where she began her academic training. During those years she was also part of the folk-dance group of the municipality. She has been part of Sankofa Danzafro since 2010. With this company she had the opportunity to study and learn Afro-contemporary dance technique. She has toured as a company member for both “The City of The Others” and “The Other Hundred Years” at numerous festivals nationally and internationally.
Estayler was born in the municipality of Apartadó, in Urabá Antioquia. He is a bachelor’s student in Physical Education and Sports at the University of Antioquia. He started his dance journey in 2010, where he began his training in traditional dances of the region, such as Reggae, an urban dance well known among the inhabitants of Urabá Antioquia, and which has led him to develop his skills as a deejay and music producer. In 2016, during one of the company’s training laboratories led by teacher Yndira Perea Cuesta, he joined the Sankofa seedbed. He is currently part of the Sankofa Danzafro company where he has strengthened his artistic process in the Afro-contemporary and Afro-urban dance techniques. Being part of the company has led him to view dance as a means of expression and liberation that allows expanding the narratives of a community.
William Camilo began his artistic career at the age of 4 at the Colombian South Pacific Folk School and Foundation, Tumac, with national and international dance and music performances. Since 2004 he has been part of Sankofa Danzafro, where he began his training in Afro-contemporary technique under the guidance of Rafael Palacios. He has participated as a dancer in various creative processes presented in Colombia and countries such as France, Spain, Burkina Faso, Jamaica, Brazil, Canada, and China. He was awarded with the EDIT School Burkina Faso Internship in 2009.
Yndira was born in Quibdó, Chocó. In 1997 she met Rafael Palacios with whom she started studying Afro-contemporary technique. She is an original cast member of Sankofa Danzafro. In 2009 she was awarded an internship opportunity at the EDIT School Burkina Faso; and in 2015 she was awarded the “Colombia – Cuba dance” Internship by the Ministry of Culture of Colombia (2015). She is the founder and artistic director of Wangari Dance Company.
Choreographer and Colombian dancer dedicated to the exploration of Afro-traditional, contemporary and urban dance languages. His experience as a dancer in Africa and Europe has been the basis for the foundation of the Sankofa Company, with which he has created a wide repertoire of works that have been presented in Colombia and other countries such as Jamaica, France, Spain, Canada, Brazil, Burkina Faso. He has developed training processes aimed at teachers and dancers as well as seedlings of young people and children. National Councilor of Dance and Counselor of Black Communities (2009-2011). Master teacher of the Training Program for Trainers of the Ministry of Culture in the Pacific region 2007- 2013. Palacios received the National Dance Award of the Ministry of Culture 2008, with the work San Pacho … Blessed !; In 2009, he held an internship with the Company in Burkina Faso, Africa. Director of the project Steps in the Earth that in 2010 receives the recognition of the UN as Good Practice of Afrodescendent Social Inclusion in Latin America. He is invited as artistic director for the Colombian dance show held in the framework of the Summit of the Americas Cartagena 2012. Choreographer for the production of the 2013 Cali World Games.
Alvaro is an Architect of the National University of Colombia. In 1982 he was awarded a scholarship by the Ministry of Culture of France for a stage in theater architecture and theatrical shows assembly at the Paris Opera, and a scholarship for lighting technology at the Commedie Française in 1986. He was the producer of the Pacific Music Festival Petronio Álvarez in his first ten editions. He has been the scenic designer Sankofa Danzafro since 2004, for whom he has designed, among other works, “San Pacho ¡Bendito!”, “La puerta”, “The City of Others” and “The Other One Hundred Years”.
Sonia Medel is an interdisciplinary curator, artist, and researcher-analyst currently finalizing a PhD in Education. Her research explores arts and culture in Vancouver through a decolonial, intersectional feminist lens, with a focus on the Latin American dance scene and the socio-political impact of Latina dancers. Alongside her scholarly work, she has returned to stage performances internationally and within Canada and is actively furthering her dance training and engaging in dance film, curation, and publishing projects. For over a decade, Medel has advanced decolonial and feminist approaches to arts, culture, and education across the Americas. An Indigenous-descendant Latina, the daughter of a Chilean exile and an immigrant Peruvian mother, she is especially grateful to the Coast Salish peoples and lands where she was born and continues to develop her creative-professional practice.
Top image: Sankofa Danzafro The City of Others (La Ciudad de los Otros) © Jieson Riascos.
