Category Archives: African Drumming Workshops
Thanks from Drumroots for the Mamady Keita 2013 Weekend (Video)
I belated, but nevertheless massive thank you from Drumroots and Tanante to all involved in organising the Mamady Keita Weekend 2013, last month. We had an awesome time at the event, really enjoyed being there and both supporting Iya Sako’s workshops and participating in Mamdy Keita’s. There was an ace vibe at the venue and it was excellent to see lots of old friendly faces that we haven’t seen for a while.
As for the evening’s entertainment; sadly we didn’t get to see much of the other acts, but Tanante with Iya Sako and Sens Sagna hugely enjoyed performing for you all. Thanks to everybody present who cheered, clapped and danced to our music, and a massive thanks to our friends who joined us on stage for the end of our set. (more…)
Drumroots Workshops & Tanante performance for unity day at North Hertfordshire College
North Hartfordshire College is holding a free event to celebrate diversity in the community on Wednesday 13th February at the Stevenage Centre. We are proud to be a part of this fantastic community event and will be running three hour long African Djembe drumming workshops for all ages and abilities from 1pm until 4pm.
At the college there will be a chance to experience the multimedia art exhibition “Keeping Memories: The Rwandan Community in the UK exhibition.”
Throughout the day there will also be a whole host of other activities including dance performances and workshops run by Act One Arts Base which is a local, accessible dance organisation run by disabled and non-disabled people. (more…)
Drumroots support and Tanante to Perform at Mamady Keita 2013: West African Drum & Dance Weekend, 13th-14 April 2013
Drumroots are proud to announce that we will be supporting the upcoming Mamady Keita Weekend. The full weekend of workshops and performances surrounding the visit from the world’s most popular and celebrated djembe player, Mamady Keita is a huge event in the West African music scene’s calendar in this country, and all those who know and love West African drumming will be excited in making preparations for getting involved in this extra special weekend! (more…)
African drumming workshops at Didsbury Road Primary School
Drumroots recently enjoyed leading African drumming workshops for the nursery children of Didsbury Road Primary School. Joining us for this special occasion was Andy Garvey an excellent djembe, dun-dun drummer and balafon (West African xylophone) player, from our very own performance troupe, Tanante.
The enthusiastic groups of three to four year olds joined the workshops dressed in their own home made African clothes and were wearing the fantastic masks that they had made. Each child displayed amazing drumming skills through the fun activities that we lead. They especially enjoyed playing the games ‘we are the elephants’ and ‘rumble in the jungle’. (more…)
Drumroots with Sens Sagna at Bury African outreach 13th October
Drumroots were invited to St Gabriels high school for the Bury African outreach Charity coffee morning. Our job: to bring the space to life with our drumming, lead djembe workshops and to perform with the participants on the main stage. For this event we were joined by our talented Senegalese dancer, drummer and singer Sens Sagna. As we arrived we realised that this was no ordinary coffee morning but in fact Bury African outreach’s 20th year anniversary, and a very busy fund raising event with activities such as wheel of fortune, tombola and many stalls selling all manner of things; African food, flowers, cakes, bric-a-brac and sweets, all to raise money with all proceeds going to the Bury African Outreach charity. (more…)
Drumroots at the International Event; Co-operatives United
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. (more…)
Drumroots Workshops for Music Therapy Students of The Nordoff Robbins Charity
We at Drumroots were lucky enough to work with eight musically talented pupils on their masters degree training course with Nordoff Robbins. This mixed group were not only great musicians but great fun to be around. Over the course of four separate two hour sessions held in the Royal Northern College of Music studios we taught, as well as games and exercises, a number of different traditional rhythms with accompaniments, breaks, solos, songs and dun-dun bass lines. This developed their West African drum playing skills to a high level whilst teaching drum circle leadership. (more…)
Drumroots African Drum Workshop at Green Acres Social Inclusion Centre
Last week Drumroots were invited to lead an African djembe drumming session at the newly opened Green Acres social inclusion centre (part of Newall Green High School) in Wythenshawe. As we entered the brand new, very modern looking and spacious building the first thing we noticed was the smell of chocolate cake! Yes, the children had been working hard that morning baking the most delicious smelling cakes… (more…)
Drumroots Team Building Workshop at The Manchester College
Though it may be the summer holidays for some that work in schools and colleges, the September 2012 term for the new academic year is fast approaching and teachers, management and admin staff education centres across the land are busy making plans and preparing for the start of term; staff at Northenden Campus of The Manchester College are no exception. Last week Drumroots were invited along to the campus to give the staff that are based there a break from their meetings and preparation by bringing a fun and interactive session for the staff to create and share with African drumming. (more…)
Drumroots Workshops at The National Autistic Society Summer Scheme
Drumroots recently enjoyed as series of workshops for a summer scheme ran by the National Autistic Society (NAS) in Knowsley, Merseyside. The scheme is initiated to include children and young people with Autism, Asperses syndrome and other severe learning difficulties in the Knowsely area take part in interactive and lively activities over the summer months when their regular schools are closed for the end term. Within workshops such as these with such a broad mixture of abilities we are able to leave the teaching of African music and just spend time playing the music with participants and see what avenues of music and rhythm we can explore with the children. (more…)
