Explore the Virtual Program

Thank You to our Partner

Concert Program

Saturday, October 4, 2025, 2:00p & 7:30p

Phoenix Theatre Cultural Center, Indianapolis, IN

Director: Iris Rosa Santiago

Dancers: Kelvin Burzon, Camille Beck, Hannah Crane, Amber Daniel, Brittany Davis, Cherese Dillman, Kandyce Donald, Kiara Rodriquez, Bianca Salgado, Briony Towler, Yolanda Valdivia, Jiang Xu 江凝旭

Costume Design & Construction, Photography, Social Media & Graphic Design: Kelvin Burzon

Spoken Word: Iris Rosa Santiago

Music Editing & Virtual Program: Hannah Crane

Assistant to the Director: Cherese Dillman

Woven of Iron

As we embark on our journey, we begin with the Trans-Atlantic Slave Trade. This symbolic illustration of the journey from Africa to the New World represents the beginning of migratory stories revolutionizing and transforming lives.

Part I: Voyage to the New World

They came before us

From Ghana the Ashanti, Fanti

Yoruba, Ibo, Congo, Carabali

Across the Water

Swaying, praying, dying, landing

Bringing their cultures and religions

To countries, like,

Mexico, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Venezuela, and Peru

These are just to name a few countries

That now bring us

Platano, mangu, mofongo, callaloo 

Frititas de bacalao, Sancocho, yams, and okra, too

Seasoned Greens and cornbread, and ice-cold sweet tea

Comfort food for the soul, nourishment for our hearts

Ancestors’ warmth and that’s just a start

Of a voyage that would change lives forever.

Poem: “They Came” written and spoken by Iris Rosa Santiago

Music: “Columbus Ghost” by Mutabaruka, “The Rhy in You” by Tarufiq Qureshi

Dancers: Entire Company

Part II: Fate and Destiny

Ayudame encontrar mi camino

Help me find the pathway best suited for me. 

Help me find the pathway best suited for me. 

Obatala, creator of wisdom, mentor me 

Oya, help me survive the tempest. 

as I dream of new beginnings and the realms of possibilities.

Dancers: Camille Beck, Kelvin Burzon, Hannah Crane, Cherese Dillman, Jiang Xu 江凝旭 

Music: “Elegua (A Prayer for The Children)” Featuring Gregorio Bento, Gwen Bunn, Nick, Hakim & William Gittens

Part III: Obatala and Creation

Obatala,

You were given the task of creation

You are a warrior spirit

You carry healing abilities, and

You are a force for justice

You are the Father/Mother of all Orishas

and creative force behind our human destines

Your wisdom, knowledge and moral energy is what we strive for to survive

as we acquire strength and perseverance like that of Ogun who you created, gave life

And helped with finding the pathway

Dancers: Entire Company, Cherese Dillman as Obatala

Music: “Obatala” by Daniel Santos, “Obatala (King of the White Cloth)” (feat. Maxfield Gast), “Ogun" (Swirling Palm-Fronds)” Leana Song & Shawn Hennessey (feat. Orlando Fiol, Bakithi Kumalo & Naivia Angarica)

Part IV: Protect the Road

Baba Ogun Arrives

Ogun is in every land

Ogun Manages and owns the home

Come and protect us on the way

Ogun is in every land

He arrives, raise him up

con su lanza ire

with his spear he will go

Dancers: Entire company, feat. Kandyce Donald, Bianca Salgado, Hannah Crane

Music: Ogun: Bata Trio, Ogun: Bata /Bembe by the London Lucumi Choir

INTERMISSION

Part V: OGUN - Strength and Perseverance

Who stands behind, in front, and sides with armor ready to defend

when life goes upside down

The pressure that we feel when we are pushed to the limit

When we are thrown in face and in the throes of adversity

Ogun, protects us on the roads, for you manage every land

Dancers: Entire Company

Music: “Rhythm Rain” by Naadro

Part VI: Who’s Disrupting Your Nest?

Mourning, deception, death, illness, loneliness, mistreatment, or depression are unwelcome intruders in our spirit just like the cuckoo birds. They are the disruptors, who lay their eggs in the nest that don’t belong to them and kick out little birds who have established homes.

But all in all, Cuckoos also have to fight for survival as it’s just the nature of their species. Evolution doesn’t have an agenda

A ma la Ogun Aare re Ama la e a

But with Ogun as the holder of Goodness, we are granted to become rich in our spirits despite many disruptions in our lives. Ogun gives us the strength and perseverance to overcome.

We are going to become rich

Dancers: Entire Company, Feat. Hannah Crane and Cherese Dillman

Music: “Metronome Click 60bpm” by Sound Effects Zone, “Cuckoos is in the Nest” by Daniel Pemberton

Part VII: Force, Might, and Healing

How do we feel when we think we are not good enough

The sensation when there is exclusion

The gaslighting

The physical and mental chains

The visceral feeling of confinement

prejudice, bigotry, intolerance, xenophobia, homophobia Systemic racism,

the Capturing of human beings

Rigid and strong like the metals you use, Keep us vigilant

For you represent the tools of struggle and resistance and demand justice

Dancers:  Entire Company

Music: Kelvin Burzon on Violin, “Voices of Bantu” by Abel Selaco

Part VIII: Persistence and Determination

Elegua cleared the pathway and lead us to the crossroads,

But, Ogun cleared the road and shielded the people from

Tragedies, harm and evil with his machete and hammer.

Give us protection, abundant strength, and an enormous amount of

Perseverance to fight for peace, justice and tranquility.

Dancers: Entire Company

Music: “Ogun” by Aché

Bow Music: “Ogun Baba Dey” by Chants of the ancestors

Seda Negra/Black Silk Dance Company Bios

Iris Rosa Santiago, Director