Greetings & Thank You to the Teachers, Volunteers and Participants of 4th Drumming for Peace, Joy & Unity

The 4th Drumming for Peace, Joy, and Unity was held to honor Grandmaster Djembefola, Mamady Keita and raise funds for his family – Monette Marino Keita and their daughter, Nasira Keita.

What an incredible and magical weekend we had with teachers Grandmaster Bolokada Conde of West Africa, Djembefola Monette (Momo) Keita, Nasira Keita,  Bill Scheidt of TTMWS, Michael “Taylor” of TTM Chicago, Robin Bountorabi Leftwich of Happy Beat Drumming, Christan Theresa Poret of Djoli Kelen, and Mama Yeye of Egbe Sekere. Many thanks to these teachers who brought their talent, love, dedication to Atlanta.  No words can express how this amazing event was and how appreciative we are to them! We humbly thank you. The music, dance, culture, and fellowship we enjoyed together was simply beautiful.

There are so many people to thank.  Please take a minute to read because it was a huge community effort to bring this event.  So, with deep gratitude, here goes….

 

The History & Lead-Up

The event began as a dream in my mind and heart to re-create the coming together of our regional drumming communities as it happened with The Grandmaster Tour in 2011.

With the help and encouragement of Christan Poret and Chuck Cogliandro the vision came to life in 2016 as a one-day event on the Decatur Square and continued in 2017 and 2018. Various scheduling and health issues postponed the 4th event.

Then Grandmaster Mamady Keita passed away in 2021, and it seemed only right that we honor his legacy. Voila! 2023 took on a whole new vision. Jahbri Black (head drummer on Saturday night and dance class on Sunday) and Conundrum’s, Safiyah Pankey (YMCA employee and Outreach Program) joined the team. DPJU-2023 became an event to bring everyone together again to honor Mamady, give thanks, raise funds to help his family, and offer a weekend of djembe/dance/ and sekere classes for all!

Many thanks to Kent Edmonds who helped design the t-shirt, banner, and newsletter . Couldn’t have done it without his patience, love, determination, and expertise!

Folks who hosted teachers!  Lissa Tchernis Davis (Bounto), Saifyah Pankey (Bolokada), Dee Desnoyers (Taylor and Bill), John Jackson (Taylor and Bill), and Me (Monette and Nasira)! So honored to do so!

 

Friday, August 26 – The Meet N’ Greet

The evening was a potluck at my home with main dishes from Sharon Camara (her famous African Peanut Chicken – Grandmaster tour too) and Christan’s Pasta Spinach Shrimp dish that lasted all weekend! Those scrumptious dishes were complemented with dishes from all of you! Many thanks to everyone that attended the meet and greet. Your energy, your spirit, your love, and your yummy addition to the feast made for a beautiful evening!

And did you see the stunningly gorgeous flowers that graced the music room and registration table?  Also a Conundrums sister, Emma Salahuddin! Thank you!!!

Again, many thanks to Kent Edmonds …. The ICEMAN!

Rebekah Carder- our photographer who was also the photographer for the Grandmaster Tour!

The evening started with a Blessing by my daughter, Sarah Jackson. For those of who did not hear the prayer, here goes:

“God, angels, ancestors, the ones living who could not join us, and those who have passed surround us in this space and the spaces we will inhabit over the weekend.  Open us up to this wonderful experience. Allow all of us to pass down, honor and celebrate the joy that was bestowed on us all by Mamady through the playing and teaching of the djembe.  Help us to be who you would have us be this weekend and carry out the intention of drumming for peace, setting aside what separates us to then rebuild what brings us together”. Love you, Sarah.

As guests were arriving, Conundrums’ sister, Lissa Davis gifted us by playing on her Kora followed by Jamie and Joe Empert on her calming flute and his percussion, and the versatile John Jackson on guitar (and I played on a couple rock n roll songs with djembe.

Great food! Great folks! Great music! Great conversations!  Great start to the weekend!

 

Saturday, August 26 – CLASSES

The workshop began at the YMCA (thanks to Safiyah Pankey) who donated their space for the whole weekend! And it was free of charge!  Imagine! We love you! Thank you those of you who were able to make donations to the outreach program that Safiyah facilitates.

Many thanks to Jan Perez (Sunday) and Lissa Davis of conundrums and her daughter Alex Tchernis on Saturday and Sunday at the Registration /T-shirt Table.  They juggled here, there, and everywhere!

And more thanks to:

Christan Poret- swag bags and T-shirt distribution! There are still many t-shirts available for purchase.

Mark Poret, Sean Poret, Jayden Poret and Cameron Poret For Set Ups/Breakdowns, Transportation, Dunun Players All Weekend!

Nikki Jackson’s car for Monette And Nasira all weekend

Eric Taylor For Break Down And Set Up At The Gazebo

Tom Harris- Bells, sticks, and racks and anything else the drummers needed!

Safiyah Pankey, Amy, Linda Good, Sue Rinker- Lunch room setup-

Kent Edmonds -Mr. Dependable and all-around availability, lunch delivery from El Vecino Taqueria and setup

Lissa Davis and Alex Tchernis – Cashiers hostess with for lunch! Awesome!!

Piri Molnar and team Susan Natale and Ben Weston for helping get Bolokada to Atlanta!

Without the dunun players supporting each teacher the music would not have been the same. It was crucial we had them. Many thanks to those of you who were all about coming forward and brave the complicated and unpredictable rhythms that challenged you.  Ten Blocks Away bandmates- Tom Harris,  Sadi Mobasher Sobhan, John Warrington who were willing from the get-go to help in any way possible. Sean Poret, Deborah Peyton, Dee Desnoyers, DJ’s dad, and all the teachers that supported one another.

The first class of the weekend was the dynamic Duo Michael “Taylor” and Bill Scheldt!  Fantastic!

The second Class was another Dynamic Duo, Robin Bountorabi Leftwich lead drummer and Christan Poret lead dancer. Tom Harris was a huge support for Robin!

And our third class on Saturday was Grandmaster Djembefola, Bolokada Conde “Bolo”.  He graced us and was so honoring have him there.

Last Class was another dynamic duo, Monette and Nasira.

Here was one of those magical moments that I’d like to share with you all. The weather predicted for the weekend was HOT. In the 90’s! And low and behold during their class it began to rain and not only that multiple rainbows were reported by participants and pic taken by Eric Taylor! Here is the significance to the rain from Monette who gladly shares it with us: “Mamady would often reference how the djembe communicates with many things seen and unseen.  I witnessed on several occasions at the end of a weekend of workshops when he played a Djembekan that it would spontaneously start raining heavily on an otherwise completely sunny day! So, to my surprise when it started pouring rain during my class in Atlanta, I felt a wave of energy that communicated Mamady’s presence and blessing that we were all together playing/learning/sharing our love for the djembe and the Manding Culture. And perhaps it was no coincidence that the rhythm I was teaching was one he created, “Sewa”, which means Joy/Happiness in Malinke!!”

 

Saturday, August 26 – 4th DRUMMING FOR PEACE, Joy, and Unity in downtown Decatur

As soon as the classes ended, we whisked off to downtown Decatur to get ready for the community jam. With lots of help, red/yellow/green flags were hoisted, and the banner hung.  John Jackson provided his expertise in sound with mics and amp, and all of you brought your dynamic talents to play the music we love best! West African rhythms.  In the past, each Atlanta Drum/Dance group picked a rhythm that everyone knew started it and ended it.  Everyone would join in and as always Jahbri Black would lead as our djembe player and Jaha (James Smith) assisted.  Awesome!  Mama Yeye and her sekere players joined in on every rhythm ! Many thanks to the Atlanta groups for their willingness to participate and who have jammed every year since 2017…

To start the event, our MC for the last 3 events, Christan Poret introduced our team including herself, me, Safiyah, and Jahbri. The evening Conundrums’ own, Emma Salahuddin graciously blew her didgeridoo and Conundrums started the first rhythm of the evening with Yankadi-Makru.

The evenings groups were:

  • Conundrums- musical director, Amy Jackson
  • Emerson Drummers- Dallah/Moribayassa- musical director Chuck Cogliandro, led by Mark Cobb
  • Chattahoochee Rhythm Keepers- Djole- musical director, Amy Jackson
  • Djoli Kelen- Sinte, lead dancer, Christan Poret, lead djembe Jahbri Black
  • Giwayen Mata – Sorsornet, musical director, Tambra Harris and her sisters

We all gathered in the front of the gazebo to end the evening with our group photo under the Drumming for Peace banner and  moon!

 

Sunday, August 27 – Classes

Sunday’s classes began with Bolokada with a very heartfelt spirit filled message from Chuck Cogliandro who asked me to read. Couldn’t hold back my tears and sniffling. The message and the  silence during the read was powerful. Thank you, Chuck, for this. Everyone was deeply moved .Many folks asked that I post this message. See below. We missed you so much, Chuck and Happy Birthday to your mom’s 90th birthday in Michigan.

Thank you, Amy, for continuing to inspire us with your vision for this festival and thank you for inviting me to write something to be shared at the gathering. I’m with my mom in Detroit for her 90th birthday celebration, and with the rest of the family, which is where I should be. Otherwise, I’d be there.

My African American and African friends and teachers have taught me the importance of honoring those who have gone before me, in order to stay in right relationship with the ancestors and with Spirit. I give thanks to Brother Yusef Crowder, who was my first djembe teacher and who taught me to carve the drums. Yusef took me as an apprentice in 1992 at a time when I was not nearly aware of how much about life and history I didn’t know, and he trusted that I would do something good with what he shared.  I still hope to fulfill that trust. Yusef is a quiet and peaceful giant, and I recommend that you get to know him while he’s still with us, here in Atlanta. You should also read Robert Williams’ book “Negroes With Guns,” and watch the documentary (on Youtube) “A conversation with Yusef Crowder” to understand the role Yusef played not just in the earliest days of establishing West African drumming and dance in the United States, but in the foundational struggle for racial equality and civil rights here- a struggle that African Americans have always led. I acknowledge that the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, at which Martin Luther King Jr. spoke about the promissory note that America had given to Black Americans- a note that had come back marked “Insufficient Funds”- is taking place today, right now, in D.C.

Like all other European Americans born into the racial, social and cultural identity labeled as ‘white,’ I have tremendous blind spots on the topic of race.  We now know, through Ibram Kendi’s research, that the origins of the idea of race can be traced to the efforts of a 15th century Portuguese biographer named Gomes de Zurara.  Zurara decided to flatter his slave-trading patron, Prince Henry the Navigator, help soothe his pained conscience, and sell a lie to him by declaring that the dark-skinned people Henry was capturing in West Africa, trafficking, and profiting from were less than human.  I carried my blind spots as well as my inherited delusion of privilege into Ebster Community Center in April of 1992.  Instead of asking permission, I was the one who decided that it would be okay to enter as a completely untutored beginner and participate with drummers playing for the Uhuru Dancers’ class- even though something in my body and being told me this was a sacred cultural space not of my heritage, and that there were people there who would prefer that I not intrude.  Something deep inside me was awakened that day by the healing energies of the music, dance, and community celebration.  I’ve tried my best to honor the ways that the music has been shared with me through my teachers’ teachers’ teachers, and I’m still unresolved about the pain my presence did cause some people.

More than 30 years later I am beyond grateful for the many African American and African friends and teachers who shared this vital, celebratory, deeply enriching music and culture that serves always to call people together.  I include Stone Montgomery, Baraki, Kofi MacDonald, Aiyetoro, and Ojinga from my earliest days as well as Mohamed Diaby, Mohamed DaCosta, Aly Camara, and many others who had enough trust to share the music with European Americans- trust that I know, with some people and in some cases, was not always fulfilled. 

And finally, I come to my good friend Amy Jackson.  I have been more actively engaged in the necessary work of racial healing and social justice for the last ten years, and in addition to being motivated by my personal longing to live in a more peaceful world, i have come to see that my efforts are also intended to atone for the ignorance I held that day more than 30 years ago when I went to the dance class at Ebster in Decatur.  I too had a hope for years that all the drum and dance groups throughout the Atlanta area could come together to play- but I never made any effort to make it happen.  But Amy Jackson did, and she has been the unstoppable force that has now made it happen four times with great success.  It’s through her heart, her joy, her optimism, her organizing skills, her capacity for hard work- and mostly through her love of drumming- that she has manifested this dream, and I admire her and love her for it.  It should not be lost on us that this joyful gathering has occurred each time on this ground, in front of this courthouse where Africans and their descendants were purchased and forced into cruel conditions of unpaid labor- the labor that built the United States.  May my European American friends of white racial identity always remember to be grateful to our African American and African friends for keeping this joyful music, which comes from the time before race was invented, alive through difficult conditions in order to share it with the world and help us heal the legacies of racism and slavery that remain in the United States.

Bolokada’s class followed with so much joy, laughter, and FUN! Thank you, BOLO!

Bill Scheidt  then led the next djembe class who gave a beautiful message about the words Mamady Keita shared with us during his workshops.

Here again, a magical moment for me:   During Bill’s instruction on the first accompaniment, I was leaving out a “tone”.  Next thing I knew Nasira Keita came around to her right side from the dunun section  and showed me with her hands what I was missing.  I finally got it. And then, suddenly I remembered a moment  from 2005 and raised my hand to Bill to speak.” I shared a time when I first met Mamady Keita at a workshop in Winston-Salem that Bill hosted.  I was virtually in the same place in the circle and suddenly Mamady stood up and walked from his left side towards where I was sitting. , “oh no, I thought. He’s not coming over to me, is he?” Well, he was. He placed his hand on top of mine to show me placement and I looked up to him embarrassingly and said, “I know, I know”.  I truly felt Mamady was present in that moment. Magical, beautiful.  

 At 1:30 Mama Yeye’s sekere class began! MamaYeye always has such beautiful messages and history of the sekere and how it communicates with the dunun of West Africa! Thank you to her sekere team, Baba Romero Beverly, Ginger Jackson, Odomi, and Nuhjah!!! Awesome!

And lastly dancer extraordinaire, Christan Poet with participants from Drumming for Peace, Joy and Unity  and our fantastic lead drummer, Jahbri Black and the supportive drummers from the workshop ended the workshop on a very uplifting dance!  Thank you!

Now to YOU ALL! Thank you thank you for being there and being who you are! It was a privilege and a pleasure to coordinate this event and to share it with you all! And guess what? We raised $3500 for Nasira’s future! They were blown away!

 

Thank you again,

Amy

and on behalf of

Christan, Safiyah and Jahbri

Peace, Joy, and Unity 2023

 

And in the words of Grandmaster Djembefola Mamady Keita:  We love you. Thank you.

“The djembe does not no color, race, gender, age, where you are from. It only knows your heart”

“If we all played djembe, there would be no trouble in the world”

“The djembe will teach you about yourself.”

 

Classes – May & June

Instructor – Amy Jackson

 
The upcoming classes are 4-6 week series in three cities plus on-line Zoom classes. Tuition varies as shown.
 
You can email or call Amy at 404-784-2462.

 

TUESDAY 

Beginners 

7:00 – 8:15 pm

DrumRise Studio – Decatur, GA

May 9, 16 30

June 6

$20.00 per class – 4-wk series

 

WEDNESDAYS AM

Intermediate 

10:30-12:00

DrumRise Studio – Decatur, GA

May 10, 17,31

June 7

 $25 per class – 4-wk series

 

WEDNESDAYS PM

Beginner

6:00-7:00 PM

LaGrange, Ga. 

May 10th and 31st

June 7, 14

$20 per class – 4-wk series

 

WEDNESDAYS PM

Intermediates

7:00-8:30 PM

LaGrange, Ga. 

May 10th and 31st

June 7, 14

$25 per class  – 4 wk series

 

MONTHLY

All Levels

1 – 2:30 PM

Thomaston, GA

May 4

$45 per class

 

MONTHLY

Americus, GA

TBA

 


Online access is available for all classes.

 


 

*Minimum class size is 5. Tuition
will be refunded if class is cancelled
*************

REGISTER & PAY

Advance registration and payment is necessary. Payment is via PayPal.  In the “What’s this  payment for” blank, please just add which class/classes you plan to attend. Enter the appropriate amount in the payment blank.

************************
 
For in-person classes,  vaccination is required.
 
 
For Zoom classes, we will send you an email with log-in information and your password when we receive your payment. Before the meeting, you’ll need to go to zoom.us and open a free account. Joining the Zoom class is easy – you’ll just need the login link and password we emailed to you. If you haven’t used Zoom before, please arrive a few minutes early – I’ll be there and help make sure you’re all set up.
 

 

************************

Classes – Jan/Feb 2023

Instructor – Amy Jackson

 
The upcoming classes are 4-6 week series in three cities plus on-line Zoom classes. Tuition varies as shown.
 
You can email or call Amy at 404-784-2462.

 

TUESDAY 

Beginners 

7:00 – 8:15 pm

DrumRise Studio – Decatur, GA

Jan  10,  17,  24,  31

Feb  7,  14,  21,  28

$20.00 per class OR $110.00 – 6 wk series

  

 

WEDNESDAYS AM

Intermediate 

10:30-12:00

DrumRise Studio – Decatur, GA

Jan  11,  18,  25 

Feb  1,  8,  15,  22

 $25 per class or $120 for 6 weeks

 

   

WEDNESDAYS PM

All Levels

6:15-7:45 PM

LaGrange, Ga. 

Jan  11,  18,  25 

Feb  1,  8,  15,  22

$25 per class OR $120 - 6 wk series

     
 
THURSDAYS (once a month)

10:30-1:00 pm

Americus, GA

January – TBA 

February  9th

$50.00 – 2 1/2 hour class

 


 
 
ZOOM CLASSES 
 

For our long-distance students,

we continue to offer online classes.
 
   

MONDAY

All Levels

6:30-7:30

Online

Jan  9,  16,  23,  30

Feb  6, 13,  20

$18 per class OR $90 -6 wk series
   
 

WEDNESDAYS PM

All Levels

5:00- 6:00 PM 

Online

Jan  11,  18,  25

Feb  1,  8, 15,  22

$18 per class OR $90 – 6 wk series
 
 


 

*Minimum class size is 5. Tuition
will be refunded if class is cancelled
*************

REGISTER & PAY

Advance registration and payment is necessary. Payment is via PayPal.  In the “What’s this  payment for” blank, please just add which class/classes you plan to attend. Enter the appropriate amount in the payment blank.

************************
 
For in-person classes,  vaccination is required.
 
 
For Zoom classes, we will send you an email with log-in information and your password when we receive your payment. Before the meeting, you’ll need to go to zoom.us and open a free account. Joining the Zoom class is easy – you’ll just need the login link and password we emailed to you. If you haven’t used Zoom before, please arrive a few minutes early – I’ll be there and help make sure you’re all set up.
 

 

************************

Classes – Oct/Nov 2022

Instructor – Amy Jackson

 
The upcoming classes are 4 or 5-week series in three cities plus on-line Zoom classes. Tuition varies as shown,
 
You can email or call Amy at 404-784-2462.
 
 
 

 
 
IN-PERSON CLASSES
for all levels of experience
 
*****
 
 
MONDAYS
6:00 – 7:30 pm
LaGrange, GA
Oct  24  &  Nov  7, 14, 21, 28
$100.00 – 5 wk series
 
 
WEDNESDAYS AM
10:30-12:00
DrumRise Studio – Decatur, GA
Nov  2, 9, 16, 2330
$80.00 – 4 wk series
 
 
THURSDAYS
10:30-12:30pm
Americus, GA
Oct  27, 

Nov – TBA
$45.00 – 2-hour class
 
 

 
 
ZOOM CLASSES 
For our long-distance students,
we continue to offer online classes.

*****
 
 
TUESDAYS PM
6:00-7:00
Online
Nov  1, 8, 15,
22, 29
$60.00 - 4 wk series
 
 
WEDNESDAYS PM
6:30-7:30PM 

Online
Nov  2, 9, 16,  2330
$60.00 - 4 wk series 
 
 

 
*Minimum class size is 5. Tuition
will be refunded if class is cancelled
*************

REGISTER & PAY

Advance registration and payment is necessary. Payment is via PayPal.  In the “What’s this  payment for” blank, please just add which class/classes you plan to attend. Enter the appropriate amount in the payment blank.

************************
 
For in-person classes,  vaccination is required.
 
 
For Zoom classes, we will send you an email with log-in information and your password when we receive your payment. Before the meeting, you’ll need to go to zoom.us and open a free account. Joining the Zoom class is easy – you’ll just need the login link and password we emailed to you. If you haven’t used Zoom before, please arrive a few minutes early – I’ll be there and help make sure you’re all set up.
 

 

************************

Classes – July/August 2022

Instructor – Amy Jackson

 
The upcoming classes are single-class workshops of varying lengths in three cities plus an on-line Zoom class. Tuition varies as shown,
 
You can email or call Amy at 404-784-2462.
 
 

*************

IN-PERSON WORKSHOPS

for all levels of experience
 
 
 *************
 
ATLANTA, GA
DRUMRISE STUDIO
 
WEDNESDAY AM, JULY 27TH
WEDNESDAY AM, AUGUST 10TH
10:30-12:30

$30.00

*************
LAGRANGE, GA
THURSDAY, JULY 28TH
THURSDAY, AUGUST 11TH
6:30 – 8:00pm
$25.00
 
*************
 
AMERICUS, GA
 
THURSDAY, AUGUST 4TH
12:30 – 2:30pm
$45.00
 
*************
 
For our long-distance students,
we continue to offer online classes
ZOOM Class
WEDNESDAY, JULY 27
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 10

6:30-7:30 pm
$15.00
 
*************
*Minimum class size is 5. Tuition
will be refunded if class is cancelled

*************

REGISTER & PAY

Advance registration and payment is necessary. Payment is via PayPal.  In the “What’s this  payment for” blank, please just add which class/classes you plan to attend. Enter the appropriate amount in the payment blank.

************************
For in-person classes,  vaccination is required.
 
For Zoom classes, we will send you an email with log-in information and your password when we receive your payment. Before the meeting, you’ll need to go to zoom.us and open a free account. Joining the Zoom class is easy – you’ll just need the login link and password we emailed to you. If you haven’t used Zoom before, please arrive a few minutes early – I’ll be there and help make sure you’re all set up.

************************

 

2021 Recap

 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Djembe Zoom Classes

Thank you students for your participation, your passion, your steadfastness, your friendship, and your vulnerability. And for your willingness to try something new and stick with it!

I am in awe of you all and so grateful to have you as students!  What a year it has been on ZOOM!  Thank you for hanging in with me!

Love to all!

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Conundrums  20th Anniversary

20 Years! What an amazing, rockin’, extraordinary drumming journey we have been on!  We are sisters of the djembe who have worked, played, loved, supported, encouraged, and celebrated in so many ways! Members have come and gone but “once a ConunDrum always a ConunDrum”.

The rhythms of the Mandingue from West Africa have taken us on a magical ride over these years. We are so grateful for all our teachers on the way.  The gigs have been phenomenal and the people extraordinary!

We are so thankful.  Thanks to everyone who have supported us, loved us, and played with us over the years.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Mamady Keita 1950-2021

Remembering our teacher…

When you were a small boy in the your village, the soothsayer told your mama that you would grow up and do great things for the world. You, my teacher, indeed, did just that.

You helped make this world a better place by using your great talent as an Initiated Grandmster Djembefola to bring people together in love globally.  You enriched our lives by teaching us about the Mandingue, their culture and history through the djembe. This helped to bridge gaps between cultures and taught us to love one another and play with one another regardless of race, gender, color, and age.

I love you Mamady Keita and always will.  You are in my heart and soul forever.  Thank you Baba for everything. I will continue to play the music to best of my ability with you by my side

 __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Revisiting Drumming for Peace, Joy, and Unity!

Eleven Atlanta West African Drum/Dance/Sekere ensembles along with families and friends came together to play the music from the Mandingue of West Africa! Each ensemble chose a rhythm to start/end and all joined in. You could hear the rhythms of Kuku! Sinte! Djole! Sunun! Djansa! Mendiani! And much more!! So much energy! So much Joy!

It started in the fall of 2017 and was so successful it has became an annual event! 2020 was cancelled due to the virus. We are hoping Fall of 2021! Happy New Year!

Drumming for Peace, Joy & Unity 2018

JOIN US!     No charge to enjoy or participate!     No experience needed!

Drumming for Peace, Joy & Unity- 11/12/17

Desmond Tutu said, “Do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

This day of drum and dance is intended to be one of those little bits of good. Come join us for a day of peace, joy, and unity. No matter who you are or what your skill level, we’ll guarantee some high energy, uplifting, fun! As Mamady Keita says, “The djembe does not know color, gender, age, it only knows our hearts.”

Bring your drum, bring your shaker, bring your heart as we play with members from the different West African drumming and dance ensembles in the greater Atlanta/Decatur area. Our intention is to put out good vibes to heal our world, county, state, ctiy, neighborhoods, and homes by coming together in peace. We also want to give thanks and honor to our teachers of the Mandingue whose music has inspired us to share the joy and passion with community.

Here are the some of participating groups…

Atlanta African Drum and Dance Festival (African Djeli Cultural Institute)
Aiyetoro has been a musician since elementary school as well as a student of West Afrikan Percussion for over 12 years. He is a Dununfola in training. The Dununfola is the master of the Dunun orchestra- Dununba, Sangban, and Kenkeni. These drums, along with the Djembe, are native to the region which currectly includes the countries of Guinea, Mali, and the Ivory Coast. He is the founder and Executive Director of Afrikan Djeli Cultural Institute (ADCI). ADCI has as its main program, the 9th annual Atlanta African Dance and Drum Festival, which takes place the last weekend of July each. year. In addition, he is a member of Djeliba Drum Ensemble. He performs, teacher, and organizes drum classes. He also imports from Africa. He is a cum laude graduate of Morehouse College. He is a husband, father and community organizer.

Chattahoochee Rhythm Keepers
Building community through drumming, Chattahoochee Rhythm Keepers formed three and a half years ago in LaGrange under the instruction of Tom Harris with performances at Paint the Town Pink, the local Christmas parade, Chattahoochee River Keeper Festival and Juneteenth celebration.

ConunDrums
ConunDrums is a diverse community of women drawn together by chance, intention, fate, and the call of the drum of West Africa. Their high energy, interactive performances are centered on the centuries-old musical tradition of the Mandingue and the teachings of Mamady Keita, the Guinean Initiated master djembefola, and other master drummers. From their beginnings in 2001, the intent has always been to share and expand the community that the uplifting and joyful rhythms have brought them. Amy Jackson, TTMDA djembe instructor is their musical director.

Djoli Kelen
Djoli Kelen (Jo-lee Keh-leh) is an Atlanta based nonprofit organization. The company focuses on documenting, preserving, and highlighting the transformative power of African/ African Diaspora dance, music, and culture. In the bambra language, djoli kelen means one blood. The company embodies the notion of one blood in every sense of the word. Founders, Christan Poret, Kodi Allen, and Shannon Byrd-Crossley have joined their talents to create this cultural arts collective that openly, and lovingly shares African dance, culture, and the arts with the Atlanta community. Members of Djoli Kelen pride themselves with an energetic and an infectious joy every time they hit the dance floor. Djoli Kelen is a force to be reckoned with and will continue to keep the dreams and aspirations of their predecessors ALIVE!!!

DrumRise
DrumRise uses the inspirational power of rhythm to promote joy, community connection, health and wellness. We do this by offering educational programs in West African drumming to individuals and organizations including schools, senior centers, and other community groups.

Egbe Sekere
Iya Olori Oriyomi is best known and loved by all her students as Mama Yeye. Her credits includes AADDF 2012 Conference Sekere Workshop, Youth Theatre Project Camp production, “Once on this Island, “Master Sekere Workshop” with Iya Madeleine Yayodele Nelson, Afro Beat Lives and Spread Love’s Felabration with the Cast of “Fela on Broadway” with Gorilla Dance Project , Sistahs 4 Assata Shakur and Nahande, Black Lillies Rites of Passage Program, Atlanta’s Dance Africa with Chuck Davis, 100 Sekeres at Georgia State University Inter Cultural Social, Cobb Energy Center ,Whine Down Wednesdays and National Black Arts Festival at Olympic Park. “KIRIKOU” the Stage Play, Jazz on Tap Conferences, Alliance Theatre Youth Theatre Camps, 7 Stages Youth Creates, AWP Camp Destiny, A3 Sky Camp and Georgia Perimeter College African Cultural Workshops. MaYe continues to fulfill her destiny one movement at a time, providing education with Dance, Sekere (sha-ka-ray) workshops and classes. She LOVES sharing African dance, movement, culture, music, and theatre while inspiring Youth to be triple threats on stage. Encouraging wholesomeness, discipline and self motivation to achieve any positive goals through the ARTS.

Emerson Drummers
The Emerson Drummers have been under the musical direction of Chuck Cogliandro for 21 years. The group has always welcomed people of all backgrounds and levels of experience. The group includes Brother Yusef Crowder, Stone Montgomery, Mohamed Diaby, Aly Camara and many others in its teaching lineage, and honors the deep cultural roots of the people of West Africa, from whom the music comes.

Giwayen Mata
Under the musical direction of Omelika Kuumba, Giwayen Mata is the award-winning, dynamic, soul-stirring, all sistah dance, percussion, and vocal ensemble. . Since 1993 these “Elephant Leaders of Women” have been exciting audiences of all ages, ethnicities, and backgrounds with their energetic, educational, and highly interactive performances. It has been state, “To call this group a band is a severe understatement: they’re more like an event.” For an experience that you will long remember prepare yourselves to watch, hear, participate with, and enjoy.

Kumandi
Kumandi is the culmination of Chuck’s musical and cultural experiences with drumming and healing. The Malinke word, “Kumandi,” means “To invite, to call, to sound.” It embodies the inclusive spirit of African drumming and teaching, the “calling” that drumming has been for Chuck and his many students, and of course, the resonant sound of the drums themselves. For Chuck, drumming is more than a source of musical expression; it is a source of deep connection and creativity, as well as a way to provide space for others to learn, grow, connect and celebrate. To further deepen the healing he has been doing with his hands through drumming for many years, Chuck is a graduate of the Barbara Brennan School of Healing and Family Constellations. These advanced studies enhance Chuck’s ability to help others create optimum health on all levels, uncover their essential core qualities, deal with central life issues and develop personal creative processes.

Sehwe Village Percussion
Sehwe Village Percussion is a community that gathers to celebrate its love of West African rhythms and songs. Sehw (“happiness” in Susu language) also seeks to be an intentionally multi-ethnic group who hopes to foster diversity, inclusion and understanding through sharing the experience of West Africa’s rich drumming tradition. Their musical director is master djembefola, Aly Camara.

The Sensua Players
Coming together in Atlanta’s Sensua Gallery in 2001, Viet Nam veteran Bill Liggin formed the beginnings of a beautiful community drumming group using the techniques he learned from Babatunde Olatunji. This was the birth of The Sensua Drummers. Later on, a performance group emerged from the Drummers, called The Sensua Players.
Blending traditional & modern elements of West African tribal drumming, The Sensua Players perform with a passionate & spiritual intention.

Ten Blocks Away
Ten Blocks Away initially began as a practice group for those in Atlanta, Douglasville and Carrollton who were mesmerized by Malinke and Susu style drumming & dance desiring to practice beyond the beginner/intermediate level. The group soon began performing in Carrollton and Atlanta and has evolved to offer traditionally based West African drumming & dance performances and workshops while maintaining the original identity as a stable and consistent Djembe, Dunun, and dance practice group.

Drumming for Peace, Joy, and Unity

What a day THIS was!
Due to so much unrest, divisiveness, anger, sadness going on in our world, I wanted so much to do something. And how best to bring people together but through what the djembe symbolizes best- joy, peace, and unity. I called on my dear friends, Christan Poret and Chuck Cogliandro to get their feedback, support, and leadership and they were behind me 100%. So it began. Shirley Bayliss administrative Decatur rep was notified for rental of the space. Leaders from the 12 ensembles in Atlanta and surrounding areas were notified. Times and rhythms were given and each picked. It was smooth as silk as everyone choose a rhythm and time that was not duplicated. Kent Edmonds, banner and event designer was called upon and the vision was put on paper put on social media!

On November 12, 2017 it came to pass. A participate said, “it was a thing of beauty.”

 

Drumming for Peace

NO MUSICAL EXPERIENCE NEEDED – COME HAVE SOME FUN!

THIS IS A FREE EVENT!!!

Desmond Tutu said, “Do your little bit of good where you are; its those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world.”

This day of drum and dance is intended to be one of those little bits of good. Come join us for a day of peace, joy, and unity. No matter who you are or what your skill level, we’ll guarantee some high energy, uplifting, fun! As Mamady Keita says, “The djembe does not know color, gender, age, it only knows our hearts.”

Bring your drum, bring your shaker, bring your heart as we play with members from the different West African drumming and dance ensembles in the greater Atlanta/Decatur area. Our intention is to put out good vibes to heal our world, county, state, ctiy, neighborhoods, and homes by coming together in peace. We also want to give thanks and honor to our teachers of the Mandingue whose music has inspired us to share the joy and passion with community.

Sign up on FaceBook….