Media & Press
Ezibu Muntu: Understanding Cultural Power Through Dance
Founder, Tanya Dennis and Founding Members Renee Knight and Faye Walker take you on a journey of the true meaning of Ezibu Muntu, and its impact on the community since 1973.
June 2021
“Ezibu Muntu African Dance kicks off the Freedom Fest at Dogwood Dell in Richmond”
[Richmond Times Dispatch, 6/2012]
“Daughters of Ezibu perform on Virginia This Morning”
[WVTR Virginia This Morning, 6/2012]
June 2013
“Ezibu Muntu Junior Ensemble on Virginia This Morning”
[WTVR Virginia this Morning, 6/2013]
March 2009
“The Dance Company, which has been celebrating African dance and tradition since 1973, according to Allen, taught the audience several dance moves and encouraged them to dance and sing along to Funga Alafia Ashay Ashay, an African song of welcoming through hearts, words and happy thoughts.”
[Virginia Guard, 6/04/2009]
November 2007
“The evening opened with a riveting performance by Ezibu Muntu and its accompanying quartet of blazingly fast drummers. The dancers didn’t stop moving from the second they walked on stage, to when solos were being performed by dancer to dancer, and drummer to drummer.”
[For Africa Benefit, 11/2007]
April 1985
“Tremaine described the performance as very high energy. He said the African dancers interpret the traditional African dances based on the African customs and culture.”
[The Collegian 4/11/1985]
April 2019
“Ezibu Muntu to Host 4th Annual Fundraising Gala May 4”
[Richmond Free Press, 4/2019]
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May 2012
“Critic’s Pick for Outstanding Dance Company in Richmond”
[Style Weekly: Best of Richmond, 5/2012]
February 2009
“The Ezibu Muntu African Dance Co. had its audience—from toddlers to grandparents—on their feet, clapping and swaying to an upbeat tempo yesterday at the Children’s Museum of Richmond. The performance was part of Black History Month, and about 10 dancers captured the beat and moves of their ancestors and taught their audience about the world’s second-largest continent.”
[Richmond Times Dispatch, 2/15/2009]
June 2004
“A village festival was evoked in “Econne-Conne” and “Lengen,” as danced by the Ezibu Muntu African Dance Company, founded at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond. People swept the space to prepare it for dancing and then gathered in it, jumping happily and kicking with glee.”
[New York Times 06/01/2004]
June 2013
“If you have never seen Ezibu Muntu perform, you have missed out on all kinds of awesomeness! This group is amazing! I had the pleasure of watching the group perform tonight in Glen Allen. Former and current dancers “tore up the stage” in honor of the group’s 40th anniversary. The musicians, the dancers, the costumes…fabulous! I can’t wait for the next performance…”
Click to view pictures
[Karla Reddite NBC12, 6/2013]
April 2008
VCU Intercultural Festival Gets Musical
“Ezibu Muntu gave an informative performance on traditional West-African dance. Donning attire as vibrant as their dance, the performers put on a 40-minute, high-energy show, while the speaker informed the crowd of the dances’ histories and purposes. Emphasizing joy, peace and becoming a part of the community, Ezibu Muntu encouraged audience participation, and even though only a few braved the dance floor, the turnout for this impressive group was substantial.”
[The Commonwealth Times 4/14/08]
November 2004
“Richmond’s first African dance company has been hard at work for more than 30 years. In 1973, Tanya Dennis, who was teaching dance at VCU, decided to create a student organization dedicated to African dance to help black students find a sense of pride.”
[Style Weekly, 11/3/2004]