Akoma Arts

West African (Interactive) Drumming and Dance Performance We perform over 35 culturally based school assemblies and cultural events per year, with the intent of connecting and bringing together communities by introducing Drum, Dance and Songs of the African Diaspora. Our primary audience being our local K-12th Grade student community and we also provide Professional Development to Teachers and educators interested in learning or upgrading their skills or as a team building event. With drumming and dance as the centerpiece, we involve our audiences with hands-on and feet-on opportunities to experience how their own heartbeat is a drumbeat and the basis for all rhythm. We can provide up to 20 drums and 2-3 trained dancers, which can be scaled down to meet fit the event. We teach hand drumming technique and dance movements as well vocalizing in native African dialect and through our residency program we can culminate with a student showcase. Our performance program also serves as cultural edutainment, with performances of both West African Songs (in dialect) and African American Spirituals and Folksongs performed in five segments, which takes the audience on a journey from the African Village, the Middle Passage, Enslavement era, Emancipation era, and finally to the re-connection to Africa. We also provide classes once a week to those students and adults interested in continuing their drum and dance practice through our H.E.A.R. programs (Healthy Energizing Attitude and Rhythm) and Adult Drumming and Afro-Fitness Classes.

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