Seven Days: Vermont's Independent Voice

Spirited Away

The 22 dancers and musicians of the Spirit of Uganda tour range in age from 8 to 18. Such a young demographic makes more sense when you take into account that close to half of all residents of the East African country are younger than 15 — and more than 2 million of those are orphans. A project of Dallas nonprofit Empower African Children, the touring troupe raises funds to support itself and youngsters back home. What could easily be a sobering performance about their day-to-day struggles is instead a testament to the power of art and culture. Dances of courtship and thanks are built upon joyous choreography, pounding drums and feet, and call-and-response chanting.