Special thanks to BK  mob 021 262 1007  for these awesome pictures from Mohameds performance at the Harbour Light Theatre, June 4th 2010

Put October 30th and 31st 2009 down on your calendar because it is going to be a super fun weekend if you like African drumming and dance.

Friday night, Ra is teaching an African dance class at Centennial Hall from 7.30 until 9.30 pm.

Saturday, Ra is teaching an African dance class during the day at the Caledonian Hall from 11 am to 1 pm, and then at night we are performing 3 African dances with heaps of drummers and dancers on stage.

Also that night there will be a marimba band playing and a fantastic Japanese Taiko drumming troupe

After these performances the House of Pleiades band will be topping off a great night of entertainment.

This is all happening in Christchurch at the Caledonian Hall, 135 Kilmore St.

Here is the poster,

Here’s the group Foli Laka, started by Mamady Keita. The four djembefolettes are:

Ariane Werres – Belgium
Muriel Finet Kouyate – France
Laure Finet – France
Monette Marino-Keita – USA

I’m at a loss for words…

I’m back from an amazing healing experience. Sorry to get “woo woo”, but this is real, this is life at it’s best.

We learned that playing music, dancing, drumming, and singing is for healing and is healing. But to get this deep inside is shocking in a good way. I am appreciating Chris and his gift of music. Thank you!

You can listen to his songs at his website panjeamusic.com

You can also download 10 live mp3 tracks from their shows around the country at the website

Chris Berry’s African drum and dance camp is coming up. It is being held April 10-12 in Coromandel on the North Island of New Zealand.

I have never met Chris, but I’m looking forward to the camp as I have heard many good things about Chris and his music.

Abdoulaye would tell stories in his drum classes.

In one class he said you should keep your djembe it’s own room because every time you see it, you will want to go over to the drum and tap on it.  That way your wife or husband won’t get jealous.

I can relate to this because my drum calls me to it regularly.

Welcome to djembejournal  

This is where you can participate in the Christchurch African drum and dance community. If you would like to share your experience with African drumming or African dance, send me an email and I will post it here. If you want to contribute an article or story related to West African drumming or dance, send it to me by email and I will post it here.

If something you read in one of these posts inspires you or raises a question, please type in your comment and click submit. We want to hear from you.

If you would like to share some thoughts about our weekly drum class, this is the place to express yourself. Especially if there is a rhythm you want to learn or you want to get clear on a hand pattern or drum part.

Let’s get this drum party started!  Woohoo!