Relive the wonder of Praise Night: Ballet Magnificat at Northrise University

 

Northrise University hosted a spectacular evening with Ballet Magnificat, the renowned American contemporary Christian ballet company, taking center stage. The campus was filled with excitement as the university welcomed the group to perform a soulful dance that included entertainment, deep worship, and dramatic storytelling.

The first Praise Night of the semester was highly anticipated by students, faculty, and staff members. The evening began with a session of praise and worship led by the Northrise Choir, which created an atmosphere of worship for the audience.

Part of this semester’s Praise Night was breathtaking Cultural performances to showcase Zambian Culture. Northrise Students performed a few traditional dances from the Ngoni of Eastern Province and a popular Bemba marriage ceremony from Northern Province called “Ichilanga Mulilo,” which involves a bride’s family presenting the various food dishes and drinks that the groom should expect his wife-to-be to prepare for him after marriage.

Northrise students from the Northern Vision Club acted in a play they called Lost in Thought. Their acting and lessons from the play captivated the already fully engrossed audience.

However, Ballet Magnificat’s performance left a lasting impression on everyone present. The group’s worship through dance was captured in two acts. The first act, was “Heaven Come Down,”. It portrayed the joy of the Christian journey and the celebration of trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The second act was “The Prodigal’s Journey,” based on the popular Bible parable of the Prodigal Son from the book of Luke 15:11–32. This poignant dance tells the story of a man who forsakes his family to indulge in the pleasures of the world. He spends all his money on what he believes to be freedom and fulfillment, only to end up destitute. The man’s family continues to pray for his safe return, and he finally returns, leading to a great reunion. The story highlights disobedience, forgiveness, and restoration, drawn from the lessons in the Bible. The dance emphasizes that God is always willing to forgive us when we are lost and broken, for our God is a God of second chances.

Ballet Magnificat’s second appearance at Northrise University was nothing short of amazing. The group’s captivating performance was a true testament to the power of dance and the profound impact it can have on the human spirit. It is no surprise that they are world-renowned for their artistry, and the Northrise community was honored to have them grace their stage.

Story by: Melissa Mwala