About Us
Bichini Bia Congo Dance Theather is a non-profit organization that promotes the preservation and practice of Congolese Dance and African culture. Established in 1979 by founder, and artistic director, Biza Sompa, it is the only authentic African dance company based in Ann Arbor, and the only Congolese dance company in the midwest. African traditions are communicated through dance, music, song, and drum. These art forms embody all of the value concepts and social philosophies of the people. These basic values include man's harmony with God and nature, group unity, and the celebration of life. The artistic goal of the dance theater is to provide a cultural exchange that is created amongst the participants of the group and with the community at large through cultural lectures, workshops, and public performances.
Bichini Bia Congo specializes in dance and drum workshops, educational and cultural presentations, children's and family performances, as well as large scale dance performances and theater productions. Bichini Bia Congo offers performances with unique opportunities for audiences to encounter African cultural performing arts at its best.
The members of Bichini Bia Congo are trained in the technical and aesthetic elements of Congolese dancing, singing, instrumentation, and drumming, resulting in performances that provide an opportunity for the Ann Arbor - Ypsilanti, MI community to experience high impact artistic quality African dance.