About Our Programs
African Dance
Workshop
African Drum Workshop
Corporate Team Building
Lectures
AFRICA AND THE DIASPORA
It is important to note that the words "African Dance" and
"African Drumming" are general terms. Africa is a vast continent of many
countries, languages, cultures, traditions and diverse forms of expression.
Have you ever heard anyone say, "we're going to a European Dance" class.
What if the Polka, Waltz, Irish Step-dance, Flamenco and the Can-can were
bundled as a general word, European Dance? On the contrary, the history,
language, culture and traditions of countries like France, Germany, Italy,
Ireland as do
the rest of the countries in Europe and around the globe,
have
their own beauty of expressions.
The continent of Africa is as rich and vast in
history as it is diverse in culture and ways of viewing the world. For
this reason when I use the words "African Diaspora" I am giving recognition to
the diverse history, languages, culture and artistic expressions of the
continent and all those of African decent around the world.
 African
Dance Workshops
African Dance is a vehicle of language
arts that have significant movements with specific meaning and purpose. Like all
forms of dance, most of what is called African dance communicate a particular
message. Dance is used in a variety of ways, from the social and secular
to the sacred aspects of human expression.
An important aspect of dance is one's own
connection with self, nature and with others
(community). Through movement
and rhythm we praise and honor through
celebrations, ceremonies and occasions.
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Our dance
classes and workshops give information and encourage open discussion and
instruct on various
dance techniques and
movements while allowing you to express yourself through the dance. Participants will learn
and enjoy dance expressions from the west and central regions of Africa and the
African Diaspora. Djembes (hand drum), shakares (gourd shaker/raddle), agogo
(bell) and doundouns (heavy drums) are played and taught as part of the dance
experience. The class is accompanied with drumming (live rhythms) and includes warm-up exercise.
 African
Drum Workshops
The
history and relationship of African music (particularly the drum) in connection
with aspects of the Diaspora of African and African American culture has and
continues to have a major impact on world music and other cultures.
Music and memory. From the beat of the heart to the beat of the drum,
human expression and connections are made.
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In the words of
Baba Kwame Ishangi,
born December 15, 1934, joined the realm of his beloved ancestors October 22,
2003 in the Gambia, West Africa., “music is a form of
conveying and transmitting information." African drumming is not Morse code; it is
the actual imitation of the human voice using drums and other instruments that
reflect the spoken language, feelings and expressions of the drummer. The
beat of the drum resonates the forces of life, correlating to the beat of the
human heart and the diverse, yet harmonizing forces of nature. Rhythm has
the power to move, to heal, to energize and to bring peace and harmony within
self and amongst others. Rhythm is life, lets tune in.
Participants who
have instruments will be instructed on how to use them, and eventually play
together as an orchestra by the end of the session. Various African drums and other instruments
are provided for student participants.
 Lectures
The rhythm of the drum and
the movement of dance are forms of expression and communication. They are
like two sides of the same coin, one does not fully exist without the other.
Workshops and classes are geared to create harmonious interaction among the
students that transcends individual goals into a collective joyful experience.
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A
collection of African instruments which include, conga drums, talking drums,
ashiko, djembe, kinkini, songbani, doundoun drums, agogo (bell), shekere (beaded gourd), and many other
instruments are demonstrated and explained along with their relationship to
other traditional instruments.
A
percussion orchestra will be arranged, in addition to a
demonstration of the intricacies of African polyrhythmic style and the control
of sound, vibration, tone and volume. The African
tradition of call and response singing, which carries over into instrumental
music as well as the use of hand clapping, foot stomping, and the use of the voice
to imitate sounds are all part of the wealth of expression utilized in various
forms of African music.
 Baba Ishangi (picture shown on left) was one of many special guest brought to Dallas, Texas to conduct public and private workshops on dance, drum,
history, language, African martial arts and African culture. We praise and honor the life of Baba
Ishangi and his Wife Akua Ishangi for their years of dedication and accomplishments by continuing to lead by the example of doing our best
while inspiring others to do and be their best.
“One
cannot love his neighbor unless he is aware of his neighbor. We hope through
the understanding of each other’s culture that peace and global harmony will
come to mankind; so that we can protect the only home we have ever known, the
planet Earth.”
- Baba Kwame Ishangi,
United Nations General Assembly
1981
For Information Call 817-640-1716
or email
babakwasi |
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