okama brook aka okamabdq
Dance for Joy by Okamabdq is an empowerment workshop meant to encourage movement and contribute to mental wellbeing. Learn the joy of belly dance through folkloric Egyptian and Moroccan dance fused with West African music and dance, and Afrobeats.
Okama will lead two events during the festival — an introductory workshop for all levels to experience this art form, and an opportunity for those interested to be mentored to present a final showpiece.
About the Artist
Okama Brook is an innovator of the intersectionality of dance. Her specialty is belly dance and Afro beat, and she uses it to educate, choreograph and perform. She founded Belly Dancers SXM, Okama Dance Troupe, and since returning to Central Alberta in 2021, she has performed at Lacombe Days, Culture & Heritage Days, and many others.
Okama is a development worker who has worked for the United Nations, Caribbean governments, and CUSO International for 21 years prior to moving back to her homeland, Nigeria in 2017. She is also the Founder and President of the Africa Caribbean Heritage Alliance, an international Charity Foundation. She is hopeful that the foundation will pave the way through arts and culture to support women, youth and indigenous people's developments through arts innovation.
Okama enjoys dancing and uses her creativity as a balanced methodology for post-traumatic stress disorder and overall mental wellness and fitness. She is interested in the study of dance as a form of mental health therapy. She loves to share the experience with friends and anyone with an interest in dance, movement, and music.
Dance for Joy by Okamabdq
Edmonton City Hall, North of Churchill Square
Okamabdq, 2021
Dance for Joy by Okamabdq is an empowerment workshop meant to encourage movement and contribute to mental wellbeing. Learn the joy of belly dance through folkloric Egyptian and Moroccan dance fused with West African music and dance, and Afrobeats. Okama will lead two events during the festival — an introductory workshop for all levels to experience this art form, and an opportunity for those interested to be mentored to present a final showpiece. The Workshop will take place on July 8 from 11 AM – 1 PM in City Hall, with a performance later that same day from 4:30 PM – 5:30 PM.
ARTIST STATEMENT
I dance for joy and have been belly dancing for 22 years. I learnt it from my friend and teacher, Bouethena, from Morocco. It was a way to return my body back to its pregnancy state. She also taught me to appreciate the dance form as a cultural rendition of beautiful rhythmic femininity, happy entertainment and an expression of mild physical fitness. In her African heritage, everyone can participate in its rendition for its community and healing. I continue to share our rich African heritage for emancipation work as well as for the confidence in body-image for women and girls. I have danced in Lao PDR, St. Maarten, Sri Lanka, Curacao and Nigeria. In 2008, I was a finalist in the belly dance intermediate category at the Asia Pacific Dance Xplosion in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. I now teach and perform across Alberta including Lacombe, Edmonton, St. Albert, Red Deer.
