Artist Laureate of New Hampshire 2022-2024

Drummer, Educator Theo Martey Named NH Artist Laureate

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2019 Governor's Arts Awards - Arts Education

https://www.nh.gov/nharts/artsandartists/gaa/2019GAA/bios/martey.html

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Who made it to New Hampshire Magazine who’s it for 2019 "It List"

https://www.nhmagazine.com/2019-it-list/#theomartey

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Summer Music Series: Band Leader From Ghana Mixes Traditional, Contemporary In Manchester- Theo Martey

https://www.nhpr.org/post/summer-music-series-band-leader-ghana-mixes-traditional-contemporary-manchester#stream/0

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Black Heritage Trail celebrates Juneteenth

A drumming and dancing presentation by the Akwaaba Ensemble had everyone on their feet, swaying to the beats, clapping their hands and ...

https://www.seacoastonline.com/news/20180616/black-heritage-trail-celebrates-juneteenth

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Dunbarton Artist in Residence- Theo Martey

 

“For a small town like Dunbarton to experience the diversity of another culture across the world was fascinating for the children ... This Artist in Residence Program was profoundly valuable to the children. ” Read full article - The Goffstown Egde

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Sharing culture with movement

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And it was rhythm that defined the final performance of the evening, a blend of African drums and movement by the Akwaaba Traditional African Drum & Dance Ensemble, with featured dance artist   Theo Martey.

With rhythmic artists behind him pounding on taught drum skins with sticks and bare hands, Martey’s performance – which he choreographed himself, in the traditional style – told the story of a man who tries to gain the favor of a woman, and finally succeeds in earning her friendship. Dancing with a cane and smiling an infectious grin, Martey used humor, and a little audience participation, to endear himself to his crowd.

After his choreographed piece, Martey invited audience members to the stage for a loose, impromptu group dance to end the show.

“I enjoy working with people,” said Martey. “Maybe they feel like a part of a musical connection.”

When Martey made the call for adventurous attendees to join the Akwaaba Ensemble onstage, there was initial hesitation; heads turned to look at each other as if to say, “Us?”

But initial stirrings in the seats snowballed into action, and soon UNE students and community members were streaming down from the balcony, climbing onto the boards and mimicking moves from an Akwaaba dancer as Martey smiled and thanked the audience members still transfixed in their seats." Read full article - Journal Tribune: York County's Only Daily Newspaper

 

 

Currier Museum exhibit weaves a tale of African life

 

“This show takes us in a new direction,” said Steve Konick, Currier Museum director of public relations and marketing. “We’re really trying to highlight the cultural diversity that brings so much to this city and build connections into those communities.”

 

Martey enjoys seeing these reminders of home around him at the museum. He sees parallels between the two art forms: Drumming and dancing, like textiles, are hugely important to African culture, part of important events as well as everyday gatherings.

“Our performance is a tradition from many, many years ago. It’s something passed on from generation to generation,” said Martey, who, along with performing, teaches African dance and drumming classes at Studio 550 in Manchester. It’s a passion he’s embraced since he was a young child, and one that carried him around the globe to perform shows and workshops before he settled in New Hampshire with the other members of Akwaaba.

“It’s just phenomenal to watch them,” Konick said, who saw Akwaaba perform at the Currier’s opening celebration for “African Interweave.” “We’re delighted they can share their culture with us.” Read full article - The Telegraph

 

 

The Hippo : New Hampshire's Weekly : Around the world in New Hampshire...

 

Dance to celebrate

 

To dance in Ghana is to tell a story. And for more than a decade, Theo Martey has been passing along the tradition of storytelling through movement to the people of New Hampshire through his African dance and drumming classes and performances with the Akwaaba Ensemble.

“When I came here the place was beautiful nature-wise, and quiet,” he said. “After I had been touring around, I thought this would be a cool place where you can ease your mind. So, I chose New Hampshire.”

 

“I like to set the pace in a way everybody can jump into and get involved in it,” Martey said. “It seems to be going well with people because they just look at it as something new to them.”

 

Martey said once people take a dance class, there are two reasons why they keep coming back. The first, he said, is that it’s not just a dance, it’s a workout. Second, it’s a social movement.

 

But, Martey said, wherever you find dance, you will also find drums. He teaches traditional African drumming on djembes and other similar African drums, which he said also has diverse uses throughout Ghana.

“You can play for stress relief and play for fun too,” Martey said. “There’s a whole lot behind drumming. We use it for calling the gods and for chanting rhythms that come from telling dancers what to do when they are on the dance floor.” ... Whether they take part in a class or not, Martey said he has enjoyed the opportunity he and the rest of the Akwaaba Ensemble has had to bring a bit of their home to New Hampshire.

 

“[The ensemble] is meant to educate people about what another part of the world is about and what its culture and its music is about,” he said ... Read full article - The Hippo Press

 

Akwaaba: Ghanaian Dance Bangor Daily News

“Theo and the Akwaaba Ensemble gave a performance that warmed up the audience despite a blinding snowstorm in Bethel,” said Mahoosuc Arts Council’s then-Interim Director Linda Gamble in a testimonial for the group. “Akwaaba gives the audience a unique look into the world of music and dance of Ghana that is both enlightening and energetic.”

While in Bethel for its public performance, Akwaaba visited four area schools to lead lectures and demonstrations, question-and-answer sessions, and workshops.

Akwaaba’s appearance at the American Folk Festival is funded in part by the New England States Touring program of the New England Foundation for the Arts, made possible with funding from the National Endowment for the Arts Regional Touring Program and the six New England state arts agencies." Read the full article - Bangor Daily News

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