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African Drum & Dance, Seattle

I live in Seattle, almost exactly halfway between the Fremont Drum School and John's Music, and have studied African and African-inspired drumming at both places. Baba Olatunji drew me into African music with his beautiful presence and rockin' music. I have studied West African djembe/dunun drumming with Mamady Keita and many other teachers, and I have dabbled with samba and Afro-Cuban music.

I often play for Seattle dance classes, including One World Dance and Positive Sweat. I have also played percussion for trance dance and free-form dance events with Paul Wagner's Sahlee, and I accompany Chet Corpt's beautiful kora playing in a new group that we are developing.

Info on Local African Culture, Music Groups, etc.

The Washington State Africa Network has a great page on their web site with a local African directory that lists African music and dance groups, African restaurants, and many other resources.

African & World Music in Seattle

Seattle often hosts African and other world music events, including free African music shows every Sunday night at HIDMO.

African Dance Classes in Seattle

For fitness, fun, or cultural exploration, you can take an African dance class in Seattle every day of the week.

Hand Drumming Classes in Seattle

Seattle is blessed with a number of excellent hand drumming teachers. Whether you want to study djembe, conga, ashiko, or some other type of hand drumming, you have plenty of choices of instructors and classes.

Djembe Technique Articles

Drum Circles and Drum Jams in Seattle

Seattle is crawling with drum nuts, and the rhythm community will gather at the drop of a hat. The best way to keep on top of drumming events in Seattle is by subscribing to the Seattle Drum Jams group. If you're into samba, then you'll want to subscribe to the local Sambistas group, too.

Among Seattle's many regular ongoing rhythm events:

Friday Night Jam. "The focus is on jamming with a friendly and spirited rhythm community. This is an opportunity to improve playing technique, develop playing stamina, groove and laugh with new found friends." Subscribe to Seattle Drum Jams to keep up to date on the Friday night jams.

Let's Drum & Dance is on hiatus for now. No word on when it might resume. Let's Drum & Dance happens on Saturday evenings (7:00-11:00) about once a month at the Nippon Kan Theater (628 S. Washington St.). A typical LD&D includes an opening drum circle, a dance class, a performance or two, another drum circle, another performance, and sometimes a closing drum circle. Always lots of fun -- and only $5. To stay informed about upcoming LD&Ds, send an e-mail to letsdrumanddance@hotmail.com

Seattle Peace Concerts. These free concerts happen all summer at parks throughout Seattle. A drum circle forms immediately after the last act, usually around 6:00. See the concert web site for dates.

There are always drum circles at Seattle's big annual music events: the World Rhythm Festival (next one in mid-April 2007), Folklife (Memorial Day weekend), and Bumbershoot (Labor Day weekend; note, though, that drum circles have been pretty effectively quashed by the apparently anti-rhythm Bumbershoot organizers who also have brought zero, zip, nada world music to the festival this year), as well as at Festival Sundiata (February), Brasilfest (August), Hempfest (August), and similar events.

Drum Performances and Groups

The Seattle Drum Jams list is probably the best way to keep on top of the Seattle world rhythm scene. Keep an eye out for performances by these local groups.

Yeke Yeke, a high-energy West African drum ensemble led by Thione Diop, a master drummer from Senegal, performs fairly regularly throughout the Puget Sound region.

Lagni Sussu is lead by Naby Camara, a traditional griot and balafon player from Guinea.

Safal is a hot Afro-pop group lead by Ibrahima Camara, a master drummer from Senegal.

Gansango is a music and dance company lead by Etienne Cakpo from Benin

Cafe Tilibo is the web site for Modibo Traore, a bougarabou drummer from the Casamance region of southern Senegal.

Good Drumming E-Mail Lists

There's plenty of drumming happening outside of Seattle. These lists have lots of good discussions on African rhythms, drumming events, etc.

Djembe-L

Jembe-List

African Culture in Seattle

Check out these resources to keep up with African culture in Seattle:

Cowri Ethnic Treasures, 215 Broadway Ave E (Capitol Hill); also in the Westlake Center downtown. Terrific boutique with African arts, clothing, fabrics, drums, and other high-quality imported merchandise.