Catherine Ciiku Ndungu-Case runs the non-profit organization Cheza Nami from her home in Pleasanton. She describes what inspired her to form the organization, which focuses on the promotion of African culture. Video by Chad McClymonds as part of his interview project "Living here in the Bay"

We are excited to welcome our beloved Ibou Ngom back to Livermore for another fun filled drum and dance workshop. 

About Ibou
Ibrahima (Ibou) N’gom facilitates community drumming and dancing with adults and students of all ages. He has worked with and performed for elementary through high school students, at-risk youth and university students. He is a SPECTRA Resident Artist. Ibou speaks English, Spanish, French and his native Wolof. His group Domu Africa is a favorite in Santa Cruz and the Bay Area. Together they bring the sights and sounds of Senegal alive through traditional music and dance performances. With his set of student sized instruments Ibou can turn any room into an African drum corp. His patient and friendly teaching style makes him a popular teacher. Born into a Griot family of traditional musicians in Senegal, West Africa, he has been carrying on his family’s musical lineage since childhood. Ibrahima toured with two prominent Senegalese dance companies, the 2nd National Ballet of Senegal and the Ballet Sinomew before coming to the Unites States seven years ago. Since then Ibou has been working to share his native culture’s music and dance traditions with US audiences and especially students. He is available to lead classes in dance and/or accompany other musicians. 

When: April 6th, 2014 3-6pm
Where: Bothwell Arts Center. 2466 8th St. Livermore CA 94550
Cost: Free

YYou will not want to miss Jayson Fann of Spirit Garden productions as he facilitates our free drum workshop in March 

Cost: Free

Bring your own drum or instrument of choice for the drum circle portion or borrow one of ours. Note:Barefoot dancing, wear comfortable clothing you can dance in.

Spread the word. Bring all your friends and family!

This community workshop is made possible by Livermore Cultural Arts Council


Jayson Fann is a musician, visual artist, director, producer and multi-cultural arts consultant. Jayson performs, designs and produces hundreds of concerts and educational programs annually celebrating cultural diversity . His work has taken him around the world many times to direct a diverse range of artistic projects in Europe, African, Haiti, Cuba and Brazil. Jayson has taught and served as a special consultant for California State University Monterey Bay, San Francisco State University, The Esalen Institute, Centro d’Ompio International Center for Holistic Studies as well as many other schools and centers internationally. His work has been featured in many prestigious publications such as the London Guardian, BBC, San Francisco Chronicle, New York Times, Conde Naste European Travel Magazine, Sunset Magazine and many others world wide.

When: March 16th, 2014. 3-6pm
Where: Bothwell Arts Center, 2466 8th Street, Livermore CA 94550

About the Class: Join us at the Bothwell Arts Center every Monday, starting March 10th from 7:30-9:30 for an African drumming class with Mogauwane. This is a mixed ability class where all levels of drummers are welcome. Come explore the joy of African drumming and learn some rhythms of Africa. Bring your drum or borrow one of ours.

About the Instructor: Mogauwane Mahloele was born in Storomo and raised in Mamelodi ya Tshwane, South Africa. He was born a drummer, and learned to master his instruments through countless hours observing, participating, practicing, rehearsing rhythms and making the instruments to fully understand their capabilities. He is of the BaPedi people, known for their versatility in music instrumentation. Among Mogauwane`s mentors, Tshidi, Kasi and Lefes were especially important in impressing upon him not only technique and particular rhythms and music, but also a deep seriousness in ethics and aesthetics of the culture, social structure, and the history of both family and the nation. Mogauwane was born and raised under the apartheid system and worked to see it dismantled. These struggles frame his music, and his soul. Mogauwane has been playing music since his days in the warmth of his mother`s womb. His mother was a traditional dancer, and he too danced, even before he was born. His music is traditional and traditionally inspired, and has been his lifeblood for more than 40 years. For more information about Mogauwane, visit his website www.mogauwane.com

Dates & Times: every Monday, starting March 10th  to May 12th from 7:30-9PM

Cost: $15 drop in or $120  for a 10 class punch card


Where: Bothwell Arts Center, 2466 8th St. Livermore, CA 94550

Join us for a fun, Creative, educational and meditative bead making workshop with the talented Wawi Amasha of @mami.afrika. Create your own waist beads that can be used as a necklace, bracelet, anklet, hairline tie or belt using Wawi's collection of beautiful African and trade beads.

(Great activity for girlfriends, mothers and daughters)

$30 for materials

February 15th, 2014
2-5 PM
Bowthwell Arts Center
2466 8th St, Livermore, CA 94550


"Waist beads are an age old African tradition. They are worn for vast reasons and purposes to celebrate femininity, healing, spirituality, power, balancing, attracting and keeping a mate, rites of passage, rejuvenation, initiations, first menses, energy, and body shaping. African women have traditionally worn waist beads beneath their clothing placed beneath the belly button and can be single or multiple strands. In ancient Egypt, waist beads were called “girdles.

Women of all ages and sizes wear waist beads!
When you add stones, waist beads take on healing qualities.
Depending on ailment or what needs to be enhanced, various semi-precious stones can be included in the design of your waist beads.

It’s only now in modern times, that waist beads are becoming more visible.
Think of them as colorful strands of femininity -- vibrant glass or clay beads, gemstones, pieces of horn, shells and sometimes gold or silver fittings, strung together by hand and tailored to embrace a woman's individual midsection.

Waist Beads are multi-purpose. They can be used as a necklace, bracelet, anklet, hairline tie, belt, and a favorite of mine, they are great weight regulators." 
--Wawi Amasha

Join us at the Bothwell every Tuesday, starting March 11th from 7:30-8:30 for an hour of African movement. This 10 week series will offer a combination of dancing to live drumming or music on CD. This class is open to all levels, so come on down and shake your tail feather as you pick up some traditional African movements. We will feature occasional surprise guest teachers, so your best bet will be to come to all the classes!

Contact us at info@chezanami.org for questions or call us at 925-398-3827

Cost: $15 drop in or $120 for a 10 class punch card

February features Mohamed Lamine Bangoura, a professional/master drummer originally from Guinea, now an Oakland resident as he shares his open heart and joyful music in February 16th 3-6pm at the Bothwell in our monthly community drum circle. 

Cost: Free

Bring your own drum or instrument of choice for the drum circle portion or borrow one of ours. Note:Barefoot dancing, wear comfortable clothing you can dance in.





MORE INFO

Cheza Nami was at the Livermore ArtWalk on Saturday October 12th, 2013. We brought some awesome toys and instruments for kids and adults alike. Come check out these toys and more at our Fall event

November 17th, 2013 – Livermore, CA ‐ Cheza Nami Foundation, Inc is excited to bring to the City of Livermore a ‘Taste of Kenya”. This family event is set to be a magical journey of Kenya through touch, taste, sight, and sound; featuring some of the best Californian-based Kenyan art, literary, dance, music and fashion artists.

Featured Artists:

Mami Afrika:  Renowned Los Angeles based Wawi will be showcasing her uniquely handcrafted brand of clothes, jewelry and wearable art, steeped in the celebration of life using vibrant colors inspired by Africa.

A touch of Poetry: Recently returned from her US tour, Minda Magero will be reading from her first published poetry collection, “The Book of Mysteries” and new selections deeply informed by her experiences in Kenya and abroad.  

Story-telling through Illustration:  Third-generation Kenyan artist Ngene Mwaura will be showcasing his work that takes you from the farmlands of Africa, through the art world of Europe, and most recently to Los Angeles, where he's working on his latest work, "Masks," an expression of what he thinks the African Mask could have evolved into if the African tradition hadn't progressively dissipated. Ngene’s work is displayed in the collections of the Commercial Bank of Africa and the Dutch Embassy in Kenya.

Sounds of Kenya: Singer and songwriter Semeiyan Kaorri blends Masaai, traditional Kenyan music and contemporary sounds. Her live performance from her album “Nichikue” will bring joy and celebration and is guaranteed to get the crowd on its feet.

Semeiyan is a passionate singer, with clear and smooth vocals. Her songs feature a blend of Maasai and other traditional Kenyan music, and contemporary pop sounds. In live performances, Semeiyan exudes joy and celebration, changing the atmosphere of any room

Cheza Nami Drum Circle: Led by master percussionist and drummer Ibou Ngom, this thrilling interactive drum circle to close the event is set to get the audience join in rhythm and pick a few African dance moves.

Other activities include children's crafts and African-style face painting, and a chance to win some fabulous prizes. 

Come play with us and celebrate the beauty of Kenyan culture!

WHO: Cheza Nami Foundation’s community of supporters and friends

WHAT: A taste of Kenya, Cheza Nami's celebration of arts and culture event

WHEN: Sunday, November 17th, 2013 from 3pm – 6pm

WHERE: Bothwell Arts Center, 2466 8th St. LIVERMORE CALIFORNIA 94551

COST: General Admission, - $10. Executive Admission - $25 and includes general admission and 2 raffle tickets.  VIP Admission - $40 and  includes general admission and 4 raffle tickets.

TICKETS: http://chezanamikenya.brownpapertickets.com 
For sponsorship opportunities, to make a donation or to find out how you can support this event, please visit our event page or give us a call at 925-398-3827