OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center Celebrates 30th Anniversary of ‘Twist & Shout!’ – an Evening of Dance, Spoken Word, Music and Awards Honoring the Dibinga Family

November 1, 2024  | 

DORCHESTER, MA – OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center, pioneers of innovative and dynamic performing arts programs that motivate, challenge, and inspire youth, is thrilled to announce the 30th anniversary celebration of ‘Twist & Shout! An Evening of Dance, Spoken Word & Music’ at the Strand Theatre in Dorchester, MA, on Saturday, November 2, 2024. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. with a VIP reception, and the first performance will begin at 8:00 p.m.

The evening will feature captivating performances by current and former members of OrigiNation’s Professional Dance Division, promising an unforgettable night of artistic excellence and cultural expression. The celebration will also honor the founding artistic director, Shaumba-Yandje Dibinga, the Dibinga family, and OrigiNation’s vast contributions to Boston’s arts community. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage in a VIP reception with dancers, choreographers, and directors; enjoy light refreshments; and participate in a silent auction.

“Twist & Shout! is not just a performance; it’s a celebration of our history, our community, and the incredible talent that has emerged from OrigiNation over the past three decades,” said Shaumba-Yandje Dibinga. “We are excited to bring together our alumni, supporters, and new audiences for a night that honors our journey and supports our future.”

Tickets range from $75 – $100 and are available for purchase now at www.originationinc.org. Proceeds from the event will directly support OrigiNation’s signature programs and future productions. For more information, please contact OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center at 617-522-3900.

About OrigiNation Cultural Arts Center

Founded in 1994, OrigiNation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit performance arts program that utilizes dance as a vehicle to develop leadership, confidence, and self-sufficiency among young people ages 2-18. While their programs are open to all youth, many of their students live in the Boston neighborhoods of Roxbury, Dorchester, and Mattapan, where access to quality dance and theater programs is limited. OrigiNation serves over 150 boys and girls annually through on-site programs and an additional 1,500 youth through their Community Outreach & Education Program. They also conduct international and domestic Youth Empowerment Arts Tours. As part of this exciting program, the Professional Dance Division raises funds to perform for and teach dance classes to elementary and high school students over 5-10 days. To date, they have traveled to the South African cities of Johannesburg, Pretoria, Soweto; Dakar, Senegal; London, England; New Orleans, LA; Accra, Ghana; Trinidad & Tobago; Kingston, Jamaica; and Bridgetown, Barbados. OrigiNation has been recognized for its commitment to artistic excellence and community engagement and was recently selected as the inaugural Resident Youth Dance Company for the Greater Roxbury Arts and Culture Center. This prestigious appointment reflects OrigiNation’s significant impact on the cultural landscape and its dedication to nurturing the next generation of artists.

This is a press release submitted by OrigiNation and previously published elsewhere. Do you have a press release for your organization that you’d like to distribute? Fill out our contact form.

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