When you shop Mother's Day gifts at smile.amazon.com, AmazonSmile donates to Cheza Nami Foundation Inc. ​​

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ABOUT

MISSION

Our mission is to promote cultural education and diversity awareness to learning institutions, corporations and communities that focus on fostering a more congenial relationship among ​its members.

LEARN MORE

​CHEZA NAMI
is Swahili for
"Come play with me."

MEET OUR BOARD

​UPCOMING EVENTS

HȂ MBONGUI

When: Friday - Sunday | May 17-19
Where:  Tannery Arts Center (1010 River St., Santa Cruz, CA 95060)
Time:  Fri. 4 PM - 8:30 PM | Sat. & Sun. 10 AM-8:30 PM
Sponsored by:  Arts Council Santa Cruz County
Cost per person:  

• $20/Class                              
• $45 Full-day classes (Friday) 
•  $100 Full-day classes (Saturday & Sunday) 

​Cheza Nami and Gâta Bantu present the 3rd Annual Hâ Mbongui African Dance & Drum Conference on May 17-19. The conference aims to promote the beauty and diversity of African culture through drum, dance, and music from all over Africa.

The event will feature dance & drum masters from Africa and the diaspora including:  Hyacinte Massamba, Oumou Faye, Youssouf Koumbassa, Nano Lenaud Loubayi, Jean-Claude Biza Sompa, Aline Nkouakoua, Constant Massengo, Djenane Saint-juste, Mbor Faye, Rocssy Mahania, Antoinette Yelessa, Asso Mbongui Clermont  and many more! 

purchase your tickets today!

​THE ESSENCE SHOW

When:  Friday & Saturday | May 24-25
Where:  Louden Nelson Community Center 
(301 Center Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Time:  7:30 PM - 9:30 PM
Sponsored by:  Arts Council Santa Cruz & California Arts Council
​Cost:  

• $25/person                         
• $12.00/person (kids 12 & younger)

 ​
​​Cheza Nami Foundation presents The Essense Show in Santa Cruz. This performance is a collaborative piece celebrating the oneness of humankind through dance. Each artist brings his/her individual cultural art form enabling us to celebrate one another and see the world as smaller and more peaceful. 

The Essence Show will feature traditional music and dance of the African Diaspora including: Gâta Bantu, The Uzo Method Project , Tô Aí,  Mojarra Frita Dance, and the Cheza Nami Dance Ensemble.​

purchase your tickets today!

PROGRAMS

ASSEMBLIES, ENGAGEMENT & COMMUNITY

We offer activities to community organizations, schools and corporations while addressing educational and social needs that help foster community building, ​global citizenship and personal enrichment through our core programs. 
​

CULTURAL ARTS & LEARNING SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES

EARLY-ED PRESCHOOL 
CAL PROGRAM

YOUTH OUTREACH AND ENGAGEMENT (YOE)
​

AFTER SCHOOL
​DRUMMING CLUB

COMMUNITY OUTREACH
AND EVENTS
​

CHEZA NAMI
SUMMER CAMPS

ABOUT

CHEZA NAMI DANCE ENSEMBLE

We are a small but highly effective, engaged and energetic team dedicated to enriching our communities through the cultural arts.
​Our programs are ​managed by volunteer staff and implemented by local partner artists. 

Catherine Ndungu-Case

President, CEO 

Dandha da Hora

Artistic Director
& Principal Artist

Mandjou Kone

Principal Artist
Preschool Program

Ibou Ngom

Musical Director ​

MEET THE cheza nami Dance Ensemble

​TOGETHER WE CAN FIND JOYFUL COMMON GROUND

BECOME A VOLUNTEER