West African Hand Drum Classes Tuesday Intermediate/Advanced Drum 7:00 ~ 8:00 p.m. Wednesday Beginner Drum 6:00 ~ 7:00 p.m. Intermediate/Advanced Drum 7:00 ~ 8:00 p.m. @ The Lodge 101 E. 6th Street (above Subway, enter on 6th St. next to Skinquake) Cost is $15 to drop-in OR Purchase a multi-class package starting at 4 classes for $40 $5 drum rental Beginner students will learn basic hand drumming techniques: slap, tone, bass Beginners will also be introduced to West African rhythms. Beginner drum class will be taught by Dr. Djo Bi and sometimes by his advanced students. Intermediate/Advanced students are expected to know how to produce the basic sounds of the hand drum, have familiarity with West African hand drumming and be able to follow and play back long breaks and complex rhythms. Students in this class will be exposed to many West African rhythms, with special attention to Ivory Coast rhythm. Students will sing, learn the topalon sound as well as other sounds beyond bass, tone, slap. Pre-eminent Zaouly Master Drummer Dr. Djo Bi will naturally share many Zaouly rhythms from his ethnic group, the Guru (Gourou). West African Dance Classes Tuesday Children's dance 6:00 ~ 6:45 p.m. Adult dance 8:00 ~ 9:30 p.m. Wednesday Adult dance 8:00 ~ 9:30 p.m. @ The Lodge 101 E. 6th Street (above Subway, enter on 6th St. next to Skinquake) Children's dance is $10 to drop-in OR Purchase 5 classes for $40 Adult dance is $15 to drop in OR Purchase a multi-class package starting at 4 classes for $40 Children participating in this class will be exposed to West African movement, dance and song. Children will learn how to move to the beat of drums and learn combinations of movements (i.e. simple choreography). This class is geared toward the elementary aged child (6-12 years old). Adult class is a mixed/all-levels dance class. No experience is necessary. Teenagers fall into this category. Each class begins with a warm up, followed by a step-by-step break down of dance movements. Students will learn dance movements and choreographies from West Africa. Special attention is always paid to learning Zaouly movements, from Dr. Djo Bi's ethnic group, the Guru (Gourou). Class culminates with dancers continuing to learn/perform dance movements to the exciting sounds of live drumming!!!! Without music, we would have no dancing. The magic of these dance classes begins with the fantastic drumming of Master Drummer Dr. Djo Bi. The dance class movements are taught by his wife, Harmony Harris. |
