Day of West African Dance and Drum - Fundraiser for Chiku Awali

Day of West African Dance and Drum in Nyack - May 1, 2011!!
 
Come enjoy  the music of West Africa on May 1.  This is a fundraiser to support Chiku Awali, so you will support a good cause and have fun at the same time.  It will be a great chance to experience the beautiful rhythms from four regions of West Africa.    www.chikuawali.org  

Special Bonus:  There will be a small "African Marketplace", including Wunmi selling her awesome line of afro-urban-chic women's clothing  (http://www.wunmi.com/fashion.php#)

1:00 - 2:00 pm - Drumming from Ghana with Jerry Dzokoto

2:00 - 3:30 pm - Drumming from Guinea with Michael Markus

3:30 - 5:00 pm - Dance from Guinea, Mali and Senegal with Amina Heckstall

COST: $15 one workshop$28 two workshops$40 all three workshops
Further information, including teacher bios can be found below and in the attached.
Looking forward to seeing you there!!!
Sandy_________________

Jerry Dzokoto is a Master Drummer/Dancer and the Artistic Director of Chiku Awali.  He relocated from West Africa to the States in July, 2008 to join Chiku Awali.  Born in Accra, Ghana, West Africa, Jerry is an Ewe from Anyako, a small town in the southern part of the Volta Region.  Jerry was exposed to African ritualistic traditions and Ghanaian drumming and dance at the age of six by his first master who happened to be his father, the late Anani Dzokoto, a renowned traditionalist, master drummer, seer and herbalist/healer. Jerry studied with master drummer/dancer, Kofi Gademech from Ghana, in a dance group called Dekornu Dancers of Africa and became the chief drummer in 1996.  In 1998 he served as the chief drummer and public relations officer of Afrique Dance Ensemble of Ghana and became the artistic director in 2004. Jerry became the percussionist of the University of Education, Winneba Dance Band from 2005 to 2007.  Over the years, Jerry traveled to the Netherlands, Brazil, Germany and France to hold dance and drumming workshops.  He has worked as a percussionist for great musicians in Ghana such as Bob Pinodo Idan, the show master of Africa, and Noble Richard Nketiah, Award Winner of Best Gospel Music in Ghana Music Award 2006.Jerry's own composing credits include African Concerto "Nyadedefia," a musical composition and "Nyotsere", an arrangement for orchestral performance.  Two of his most performed works are the dance dramas "Brave Warriors", and "Lodonu the Prince of Fire".  Jerry has a DVD entitled "Music of Africa" that can be purchased here on the website and he will soon be publishing his first book "Musical Interpretation of West African Rhythms".__________________

Michael Markus is an extremely popular and multi-talented teacher and performer of the drumming of Guinea.  He has traveled to Guinea many times, studying under the great masters of drum.  In 1997 Michael founded Magbana Drum and Dance NYC as a professional company. It is his vision to entertain and educate people from all cultural backgrounds and ages about the power of the drum and the movement it inspires. Magbana believes that music and dance transcend the boundaries of race and class, and promote diversity.  Michael recently established Wula Drum, a manufacturer, wholesaler, and retailer of the finest quality African percussion instruments available.  More information can be found at www.magbana.com and www.wuladrum.com__________________

Amina Olushola Heckstall studied numerous dance forms, including African dance and drum since the age of 3 while growing up in New York City.  She is a top artist in "the NY scene", runs several dance companies and teaches and performs frequently.  Over the years she has enjoyed invitations to teach and perform in Guinea, West Africa, Puerto Rico and Rome, Italy among other places.  Amina has a uniquely elegant and feminine style, and skillfully teaches the dances of Guinea and Mali.  She is a passionate and gifted teacher, giving her all to her students.  More information about Amina can be found at   Www.balletintlafricans.com