Hello Drumming and Rhythm Enthusiasts!
Greatest news ever!
My teacher, friend and mentor, master djembe player and Griot from Conakry, Guinea, West Africa – Kocassale Dioubate – and his beautiful partner Sasha Belle Hunt are returning to the Comox Valley for a full weekend of West African drum & dance workshops!
Mark your calendars and register asap as you really don’t want to miss out on this opportunity: March 27, 28 and 29, 2020 at the Royston Community Hall (at the lights, Old Island Hwy in Royston, just south of Courtenay).
For more information on Koca and Sasha, please go to:
Suffice to say, there is just nothing like learning from a Master — just to watch Koca perform is a treat, but experiencing being taught by someone who lives and breathes African rhythms is beyond amazing! Sasha is incredible on duns and her dance classes are so much fun — she’ll make you feel amazing, dancing to live drumming!
Here are the details:
Friday
Beginner Djembe 5:30 – 7:00 pm
Advanced Djembe 7:15 – 8:45 pm
Saturday
Beginner Djembe 10:30 am – 12:00 noon
(lunch break)
Advanced Djembe 1:00 – 2:30 pm
Doundoun, Sangba, Kenkeni (African Bass Drums) 2:45 – 4:15 pm
Dance [Sasha] 4:30 – 6:00 pm
Sunday
10:30 – 12 noon Beginner Djembe
12:30 pm – 2:00 Mixed Class Advanced Djembe & Doundouns
2:15 – 3:45 Dance [Koca]
NOTE: As this weekend is being presented as a “mini-Africa camp”, each subsequent workshop will build on the previous one and as such we highly encourage folks to sign up for all 3 sessions of either beginners or advanced djembe. The bass drum workshop on Saturday is open to all levels, but some previous experience is recommended and space is limited and will be filled on a first-come first-served basis. Advanced djembe players are encouraged to participate in the full weekend by taking beginner classes as well (practice practice practice), and beginner players may participate in advanced classes but will be expected to accept the challenge of keeping up and the possibility of not necessarily grasping every rhythm; time will not be spent on basic instruction in the advanced classes but that should not stop beginners from having a full weekend “mini-Africa experience”!
Dance classes are open to all levels and all abilities — expect a fun workout, dress appropriately and bring water!
Fees:
price for any three classes $60
price for any 5 classes $75
price for individual class (drum or dance) $25
price for full weekend only $130
Please register ASAP as space is limited (especially in the doundoun classes) by emailing:
Pre-payment will be required to hold your spot.
Hope to see many of you there!