Sanibonani which just simply means “Hello how are you?” in Zulu is an innovative musical theater show in developed by lead artists Tumelo Michael Moloi and Joshua Caraco. Loosely structured around Moloi’s upbringing in South Africa during the latter years of Apartheid and his journey through other parts of Africa and the US, the real story is not his personal one but the origins of dance and music. Experience the goldmine origins of Gumboot Dance, animals and hunters of rural village life, and urban Pantsula Dance protesting Apartheid. The melding of instruments such as Kora and dances from West Africa with the dances and instruments like Mbira from southern Africa reminds us of the community Africans of the diaspora make in the US. Images and dances remind us of the US Civil Rights Movement and contemporary Black Lives Matter Movement. A diverse and collaborative group of artists bring you a show full of song, dance, poetry, chances for learning, and humor even in the wake of dark topics.
This project received the generous support of a Creative Heights Grant from the Oregon Community Foundation and fiscal sponsorship from Lane Arts Council.
about Sanibonani
Meet the cast
Tumelo Michael Moloi is an artist, dancer, choreographer, animal vocal mimic, and much more. Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Michael displayed an amazing talent for sports, arts and dance at a very young age. In 1998, Michael became the artistic director of Via-katlehong, a dance troupe that toured all over Africa and Europe. In 2005, Moloi joined Cirque du Soleil in Las Vegas as “Sugar Plum Fairy”, a role he created and played for 11 years in the Beatles’ LOVE show. In 2017, he moved to Junction City, Oregon with his family. Not long after, he met Joshua Caraco and they began to collaborate on an act mixing South African dance and stories with West African Kora music. The original seeds of Sanibonani were born of that collaboration and it continues to be the driving force. Michael has spent much of the last two years performing in SHINERS, a residency show in Nashville, Tennessee. Though he has continued to work out of town with a who’s who in the industry, Michael’s home is now Oregon.
Joshua Caraco was born and raised in Berkeley, California. He has been a humble student of West African Kora since 2008 when he did a semester abroad in Senegal and fell in love. In 2010 and 2011, he was a member of the Bay Area’s Symphony of Koras. Josh is a musician, writer and show producer. He has worked regularly with Tumelo Michael Moloi for the past few years which inspired him to write the OCF Creative Heights Grant proposal that is the main source of funding for this project. Josh is very excited and humbled to work with such a special team. He believes if we want to keep quality artists and have nice things in our community we must support them.
Fode Ismael Sylla was born and raised in Guinea. In 2007, he was recruited to perform in the United States with UniverSoul Circus, America’s premiere multicultural circus. Sylla thrilled thousands in the U.S. and abroad with his dynamic and explosive acrobatic, breakdancing and aerialist routines. In 2010, he joined Canadian- based circus Cavalia Odysseo and performed at large arenas in Canada, Mexico and the United States. Not only an acrobat, Fode is a professional performer, gifted musician, dancer, choreographer and a popular teacher with a dedicated family of students. He loves his craft, encourages his students to “be your authentic self” (Mashugee) and creates community wherever he goes. He currently lives in Bend, Oregon and Oregon is so lucky to have him.
John Munyaradzi Mambira is originally from Zimbabwe. He is involved in many forms of art - acting, singing, dancing and playing music, from regions of southern Africa including Botswana, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. He has worked with various groups, both amateur and professional, and has taught workshops at many festivals. He is a phenomenal drummer, marimba player, and singer with a wide vocal range who has performed with his band, Bongo Love, all over the world. In 2016 John became a permanent resident of Oregon, where he continues his lifelong journey to teach people of all abilities and aspirations. Combining his talents for creativity, patience, nimbleness, flexibility, lightness of heart, and kindness of touch, John has quickly become an endearing figure through his work in Section 8 housing and Lane ESD as an educational assistant in special education classrooms. More than just a cultural arts teacher, John has a natural ability to address difficult situations with rapid response while shifting the environment back to a place of learning and positive transitions. John lives in Eugene, Oregon.
Ratie Dangarembwa Morgan is a Zimbabwean vocalist born and raised in the second capital city of Bulawayo which is very rich in all forms of art. At a tender age she found herself drawn to the school choir where she realized her love and passion for choral music harmonizing voices and never looked back. Her first professional break came in 2013 when she traveled with Zimbabwean acapella sensation, Nobuntu to Austria and Germany to wow audiences with Southern African harmonies. A year later she was on her way to the US with a band called Bongo Love as a backup vocalist traveling around the US with an African circus performing at colleges, universities, and theaters. In 2016, she decided to follow her dream of sharing her original compositions. In 2020, Ratie D released her debut album Ink & Melodies. Ratie lives in Cottage Grove, Oregon and, with one of the most powerful voices in the area, is a hot commodity and member of several local bands in addition to leading her own.
SPECIAL Guests
Shannon Mockli is an Associate Professor of Dance at the University of Oregon with an emphasis in choreography and performance. She earned her M.F.A. in Modern Dance from the University of Utah and was honored with the L. Scott Marsh Mentorship Award in 2008. Shannon presents work nationally and internationally. Notable presentations include the Texas Dance Improvisation Festival, the World Dance Alliance Global Summit in Newfoundland, Physical Theatre Lab in Slovenia, and the Festival Internacional Danza al Borde in Tijuana, Mexico. Her dance film, “Fluctuating Frequencies” was one of three highlighted at the World Dance Alliance Americas Assembly at the Universidad de las Américas Puebla 2016. Shannon is an honorary recipient of the Herman Award for Specialized Pedagogy from the University of Oregon and is certified to teach in the DanceAbility® Method through Alito Alessi, founder and artistic director of DanceAbility International.
Mariam Diakite from Mali in West Africa, is an artist of the highest caliber. Uniquely interested in mining the depths of cultural heritage, she is the dynamic frontwoman for Oakland, CA based “Orchestra Gold”, spearheading the band’s dynamic blend of psychedelic rock and old Malian folklore. Mariam is a passionate artist, motivated teacher, and has a special talent for conveying the complex and challenging subtleties of her dance style to her students in a way that makes the challenge fun and rewarding. Mariam is hard working, down to earth, fun, honest, amicable, easy going, and a pleasure to work with.
Guest dancers from the University of Oregon:
Gumboot Dancers: Kelsi Carter, Abigail Chaffee, Eireann Coelho, Samantha Guzman, Jessica Hovermale, Mikala Nelmes, Olivia Schwartz, Caleigh Tompkins, Jordyn Tons, Meaghan Wottrich
Pantsula Dancers: Daniela Gianettoni, Charlotte Lynch, Emily Andaya, Mia Weimer, Jayden Deffley, Sarah Ebert