Sala Adenike: Press

News » Carolina Chronicle - Login
Woman uses art as an expression of love
By Rebecca A. Smith | Staff Writer
Saturday, December 17, 2005
A woman of many talents, Sala Adenike shares her love for the arts with her family and community.

"I want the children to believe in themselves," Ms. Adenike said. "Performing arts is the best vehicle for that."
Her husband, Paul Ali Allen, was a businessman in New York who sold African crafts. Eventually the couple and their children decided to move to a smaller city, which landed them in Augusta in 1983.
"We had younger children to raise and we wanted them to grow up in a less aggressive area," she said. "Somewhere more friendly and a better place to raise our children."

While her husband opened Ambasa Gift Shop on Broad Street, Ms. Adenike hoped to establish herself in the arts community.

During the late 1980s and early '90s, she began painting African portraits that were displayed in the exhibit halls of the Medical College of Georgia and Paine College.

Ms. Adenike is the artistic director of the Abatsu African Drummers, for which she teaches and choreographs dances.

The group was founded in the 1970s in New York by her husband and was started again in Augusta in 1994.

"We perform at events such as Arts In the Heart of Augusta, we do performances in the school system, for weddings, family reunions and faith-based temples," she said.
The troupe also has performed in several cities across the southeast, including Atlanta, Columbia, Greenville, Warrenton and Aiken, she said.

Ms. Adenike also has recorded a compact disc, Same Direction, on which she sings and plays the keyboard and the flute.

"The songs are like a rite of passage," she said. "It shows the transitions in my life and I would like for my listeners to join me on my journey.

''I hope they get enjoyment and inspiration when they listen to it."

She is working with children in after-school programs in dance, theatre arts and music.

"Every child should have the opportunity to grow and broaden their horizons," she said. "The world is waiting for them."


Reach Rebecca A. Smith at (706) 823-3552 or rebecca.smith
@augustachronicle.com.



From the Sunday, December 18, 2005 printed edition of the Augusta Chronicle

Spotlight on Sala Adenike
In this edition of the Community Cornerstone, we begin a series of interviews with partners to spotlight
their talents, accomplishments, and other program highlights that oftentimes go unnoticed. We recently
talked with partner and ARCCP Board Member Sala Adenike, widely known as a dance instructor and
businesswoman. You’ll soon see there’s a lot behind this New York City native that drives her tireless
work to promote the arts and spread awareness about the African culture in our community.
Question: How long has ABATSU African Cultural Performing Arts been in operation and what
inspired you to become a dancer?
Answer: After moving to Augusta from New York City in 1983, we opened the doors to our studio in
February of 1994. I began my dancing career when my mother enrolled me in dance lessons as a young
child. I remember my mother taking me to see the Senegalese African Ballet around the age of 12. It had
a profound impact upon me. I rekindled my interest in dance in my late teens and early twenties when I
worked for an African Cultural Center in NYC and observed African Dance up close and personal.
Question: What types of classes are offered and what age groups are targeted?
Answer: At ABATSU we offer classes, workshops, and private lessons of two types: Body and Spirit
African Dance and Path of the Lion Martial Arts (Self-Defense). African Dance classes at the studio are for ages 11 to adult and cost $8 per class
or $50 a month (includes 8 classes). Classes are held every Friday (7 -8:15 p.m.) and every Sunday (5-6:15 p.m.). African Dance workshops are
for ages 4 to adult (cost contingent on group size, etc.). Martial Arts classes are for ages 15 and up and cost $60 a month (includes 8 classes).
Classes are held every Monday and Wednesday (8-9 p.m.). Those interested in workshops or private lessons should contact the studio at 706-
210-8033.
Question: Aside from dancing, I read a recent article about your singing career and performance at Borders Books and Music. How did
you embark on this journey?
Answer: I remember in fourth grade we were doing some play about books and reading. There was a hit song out then called “Travelin’ Man.”
I wrote new lyrics to the melody, “I’m a travelin’ girl and made a lot of stops…all over bookland!” My teacher loved it and let me sing in the play.
I was hooked from then, but kept my desire is to sing mostly to myself due to shyness. However, in my early twenties I sang with two local bands
in NYC, performed at cultural festivals, banquets, etc., and began songwriting.
Question: How would you describe your style of singing (i.e., Jazz, R&B, NeoSoul, etc.), and what can someone expect to see and hear at
one of your performances?
Answer: I came across a new term (at least new to me) recently, Folk Soul. I think that best describes my style. As for my performances, you
can expect a relaxing and inspiring one-woman show featuring songs from my CD SAME DIRECTION, sprinkled with a few R&B favorites.
I sing, play keyboards and flute.
Question: So, you do have an album produced. Where can we find and/or purchase this CD and where might we be able to hear a few cuts
from this album?
Answer: I’m very excited about my debut album SAME DIRECTION, self-produced and performed. I also wrote all the songs. It’s available at
the Augusta Borders Books and Music (Target Shopping Center), or people can contact me directly for mail order at (706) 210-8033 or email
saladirection@yahoo.com. As for upcoming appearances/performances, I don’t have anything confirmed as of yet, but I’m working on booking
appearances at other Borders Books and Music stores in surrounding cities.
Question: What made you want to teach dance and pursue a career as a singer?
Answer: I believe everyone is born with something inside of them that has to come out. Around 1990 or so, God wouldn’t let me rest until
I did the work to become a dance teacher. I feel extremely blessed that God has allowed me to do this work at this stage of my life. When
I began studying African cultural traditions, I learned that dancing and music are inseparable. They are considered one. So it would stand
to reason that since one of my earthly assignments is to teach about Africa, I would use singing and dancing as the vehicle to touch people.
Question: This has been a very intriguing and insightful interview and I would like to thank you for your participation and speaking so
candidly. Are there any thoughts or advice you would like to leave with our readers?
Answer: Be secure in your talent. Be willing to work hard, but enjoy it at the same time. And remember that EVERYONE has talents, so
having a positive attitude and treating people well can make the difference between success and failure. Thank you for this opportunity to
share who I am and what I do with you.
Page 4 Community Cornerstone

Five questions with Sala Adenike
From Staff
Monday, June 19, 2006 Sala Adenike is the artistic director and dance instructor of ABATSU Dancers and Drummers Inc., an African cultural performing arts group based in Augusta.




Special
Sala Adenike is the artistic director and dance instructor of ABATSU Dancers and Drummers Inc., an African cultural performing arts group based in Augusta.
Click photo for options1. Have you been a dancer your entire life?

"Basically. I was like everybody else whose parents put them into basic ballet and kiddie dance classes. Then, as a teenager, there was a cultural center called The East in Brooklyn, New York. I studied dance there, and that's where I learned most of what I know about African culture."

2. What does ABATSU stand for?

"Abatsu is an acronym for my husband's name: Ali Baba's African Tribal Sounds Unlimited."

3. How did ABATSU get started?

"My husband and I have been into African cultural performing arts since we were teenagers growing up in New York, and we had a group there. We moved to Augusta in the early '80s and had a little business on Broad Street that took up most of our time. But in the '90s we got back into our art, and brought our dance group back to life."

4. How would you describe the type of dancing you do?

"I would describe it as traditional, African, spiritual dance. Part of our mission is not only to entertain, but to be spiritually uplifting."

5. Is it hard to teach the dance to people who have never done it before?

"No. There's an old African proverb that says 'If you can walk, you can dance,' and that's my philosophy."


From the Monday, June 19, 2006 edition of the Augusta Chronicle

Stressing positive steps
Drum, dance group will hold festival
By Nikasha Dicks | Staff Writer
Thursday, August 09, 2007COMMENTPRINTEMAIL There's a new children's dance and drum company in town.
AJADACO is a youth dance company that uses dance, music and other arts to positively transform the lives of young people in our community," said Sala Allen, the founder and artistic director of the group.

AJADACO, which stands for ABATSU Junior African Dance/Drum Co., has eight children ranging in age from 5 to 12. They take drum and dance classes, have recitals at the studio and give performances in the community, Ms. Allen said.

To introduce itself to the community, the dance and drum company will hold AJADACO Week from Aug. 27 to Sept. 2.

"It was inspired by other dance companies that I have been able to visit over the summer," Ms. Allen said. "It'll give the children and parents an opportunity to come out and become acclimated with us, and have fun."

Throughout the week, parents and children can learn about the programs AJADACO has to offer, and auditions will be held for children interested in joining the company.

AJADACO will introduce two new programs during the week: African-American History for Children and the Teen Apprentice Program.

"In the African-American History for Children program, we are going to ... show the connection between America and Africa," Ms. Allen said.

Teen Apprentice is a dance program for girls ages 13-18, she said.

"We want teenagers who have some dance background and will be training them to become assistant instructors. By saying 'dance background,' it makes it very broad. It can include anything from praise dancing with the church to cheerleading, stepping or anything like that."

The dance instructors also will act as mentors for the younger members of AJADACO, she added.

All activities are free, but registration is required. To register, contact Sala Allen at (706) 210-8033 or ajdadaco@gmail.com.

Children are given lessons on their cultural heritage
By Nikasha Dicks| Staff Writer
Thursday, July 24, 2008
The children pointed and whispered to one another, asking why there were drums in the Diamond Lakes Community Center gym.


Nikasha Dicks/Staff
Sala Adenike Allen leads an African dance during a cultural workshop at Diamond Lakes Community Center gym held by local African dance companies ABATSU and AJADACO.
As members of ABATSU and AJADACO began to play the drums, the children's whispered inquiries soon turned to "oohs."
Then, the drumming stopped and Sala Adenike Allen stepped up to the lectern.
"We're a part of groups that take Africa everywhere they go," she said to the audience, referring to herself and the two drummers. She then introduced herself and other members of ABATSU Dancers and Drummers Inc. and AJADACO Children's African Dance and Drum Company and gave members of the audience a brief overview of what they would learn.
The free cultural workshop July 17 was one of many that Ms. Allen organizes throughout the year.
"The reason we have these workshops is so that the children see and learn about who they are," Ms. Allen said. "They are descendants of greatness, and the children need to know that. The best way to teach them is to make our workshops interactive, not full of lectures."
The children and adults in attendance became involved in the workshop through call and response, playing the drums and learning dances.
Ms. Allen also talked about African clothing and taught the children different ways to say "hello" and "until I see you again" in African languages.
She hopes the workshop would inspire the children to learn more.
"If I can get 10 to read a book, go online or read books to learn more about the African culture, then I've done my job," she said.
From the Thursday, July 24, 2008 edition of the Augusta Chronicle