AFRICAN DANCE WORKSHOP/AUDITION

Wadaba will be teaching a Workshop in traditional African Dances
This Sunday, November 18th, 3:00-5:00pm
At California Arts Academy
4750 N. Blackstone Ave, Fresno
Free

Some dance experience is recommended. Experience in African dance is not necessary. If you are interested or curious, please come! This is in preparation for a drum and dance concert that will take place in the Spring.

Mamady "WADABA" Kourouma was born into a blacksmith family of traditional Malinke drummers and raised in the village of Oroko near Kouroussa, Guinea. He learned from the age of eight all of his people's traditional drum music and dances as passed down from his ancestors. He was nicknamed "The Great Panther" because of his powerful sound on the djembe drum. In 1985 he became the primary apprentice of the legendary djembe master Famoudou Konaté. Since then he has toured in Germany, Japan, and the United States, teaching and performing with Konaté and Mamady Keïta, and with his own group, Annye Ben. Wadaba has appeared on four CDs with the great masters, plus his own CD, Oroko Kan. In 2003, Famoudou Konaté released him from his apprenticeship and proclaimed him a master drummer and drum builder in his own right. He is a director for the charity organization, the Oroko Fund, and featured instructor for the African Village Drum Adventure in Guinea.

Location: California Arts Academy, 4750 N. Blackstone Ave., Fresno
Starts: 2007 Nov 18 - 3:00pm
Ends: 2007 Nov 18 - 5:00pm