Last week Drumroots were invited by The Co-operative Group to their Co-operatives United event in Manchester to perform with our Drumroots community djembe group and to facilitate two drop in style African drumming workshops. This was a great opportunity for us to stand long side other global co-operatives and profile the work we do and how proud we are that Drumroots too, is a workers co-operative.
Co-operatives United was an inspiring and fun filled global festival of events and exhibitions to mark the close of the United Nations international year of Co-operatives 2012, which was set in the prestigious and spacious ‘Manchester Central’ convention complex at the heart of the city, formerly known as the G-mex.
Our drumming was just a small part of the many, presentations, activities, workshops
and performances that were on offer at this global event; upon arrival we were free to explore the venue and shown our area; the life size Co-operative mock up town, complete with shops, bar, church, and park with a band stand where we were to perform.
For the scheduled performance we were joined, for this special occasion. by two of our most valued and committed workshop members, brothers Francis and Dom Galligan who are accustomed to performing with the Drumroots community band. Also joining us was the incredibly talented Gambian dancer Jokeh of Santa Yalla Arts. We were also encouraged to explore the rest of the venue with pitches and exhibitions of fair trade co-operatives, and how they interact and help people from all around the world.
Not only did our performance offer people the chance to listen to some West African djembe music, but gave them the chance to join in with clapping, singing and even dance as Jokeh literally went around pulling people out of the audience and encouraging them to dance let go and move to the music!
Performances done, we said goodbye to the band and got set up for workshops and after an announcement that we were about to start, we were joined by a full complement of people of all ages and backgrounds for two sessions on an introduction to African drumming and how to play a djembe. All participants joined in enthusiastically and later thanked us and told us that we really made the space come to life.
Big thanks to our community band members, Dom and Francis, to our dancer Jokeh, and to Jenny from the Co-operative group for looking after us.
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Phone: 07939 749 099
Address: 3 Gloucester Road, Denton, Manchester, M34 2HT
