Jayson Fann of Big Sur Spirit Garden will be joining us tomorrow at the Livermore Community Drum Circle and we couldn't be happier!! If you missed our first drum circle last week, you have to join us tomorrow to learn some new rhythms and pick up a few African dance moves. What's more, the drum circle is free and is fun for the entire family!! What more could you ask for? Grab some dinner if you need to and come on over. We hope see you there!  
 
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.

We are so excited about this African Drumming and Dancing performance at the Bankhead theater that we just had to share! It is so delightful to see remarkable African cultural programs as this one come to the Tri-Valley that we don't want you to miss it! Purchase your discounted tickets ($10 off) to see the Royal Drummers and Dancers of Burundi on November 14th at 7:30pm and come check out what African Drumming and Dancing are all about. Please forward to your family and friends as well and help spread the word. Also, be on the lookout for information about a weekly community African drum and dance circle, courtesy of Cheza Nami coming to the Livermore Bothwell arts center in just a few weeks!!  

Date: November 14th, 2012
Time: 7:30 pm
Place: Bankhead Theater Livermore
2400 First Street, Livermore, CA  94550

$10 off all remaining seats with the PASSWORD drummer

For more information about the Royal Drummers and Dancers of Burundi event, visit the Bankhead theater website or see the flyer below 

Saturday mornings 10-10:30 am 

6 Saturdays, October 6 - November 8

Simply the most enjoyable music class for both kids AND parents this side of the Indian Ocean. Instructor Catherine Ndungu-Case of the Kikuyu tribe started her non-profit Cheza Nami to teach her twins the songs and dances of her native Kenya. She now teaches around the Bay Area, including Habitot in Berkeley, where some HackerMoms discovered her. You and your kids will enjoy 30 intense minutes of songs, games, music, drum circles and African-themed stories in a highly energetic and rhythm-centric class at HackerMoms. It's also a dance workout for parents, so wear comfortable clothes. For kids 0-5 and their caregivers.

$12 drop-in class or $10 per class when you buy a 6-class series for $60.


Location:  3288 Adeline Street, Berkeley 94703

Cheza Nami is excited to showcase African drumming and dance at 2:30 pm - 3:30pm at the ART IN THE PLAZA event presented by the Livermore Arts Association in downtown Livermore.

Come check out what African drumming and dance are all about. You will also get a chance to try out some African drumming and some African dance moves as demonstrated by Cheza Nami artists and partner master drummers. This will be fun, inclusive, educational and interactive and is open to all ages. Bring the entire family! Purchase art from local artists and crafts people. Art demonstrations all day ! 
Go here for more information about the event. 
We are excited to present the Ibra Fall People for this showcase. Ibra Fall people are traditional dancers from West Africa – Senegal and the United States. They are a collection of master drummers, dedicated artists, and dancers joining together to spread positive action and expression. These artist use drumming, dancing and song as a catalyst to create an inclusive environment for everyone to feel free to observe, support, and join. Ibra Fall people welcome the opportunity to perform, teach, and educate all who are interested the culture of West Africa. 

Meet the Artists

Djamil Diop (Jamil)

Djamil is a master Doun Doun, Djembe, and Sabar drummer from Senegal, West Africa. He comes from a long line of Sabar Griots, or storytellers, who have passed down his people’s traditions and history through the language of the Sabar drums. Since his arrival in the states in October of 2008, he has performed in concerts with traditional African dance companies and African fusion bands and drummed for Sabar and Djembe dance workshops in San Francisco, Oakland, and New York. He frequently performs for school assemblies in San Francisco, and teaches weekly group and private Doun Doun, Djembe, and Sabar percussion classes for adults in the Bay Area.

Ousmane Gueye

Ousmane was born into a family of Griots (Musicians) learning the art of Sabar Drumming, Dance and Song in the timeless tradition of the Griot from the ripe young age of 3yrs old. At the young age of 15 he began to travel all over the African continent performing in different groups and orchestras. He is highly skilled on all different types of African drums including but not limited to: Sabar, Djembe, Djun Djun, Tama and Conga). At the age of 40yrs. young, Ousmane travelled all the way from his native Africa to the United States of America in order pass on his craft and knowledge by teaching African Drumming for various Drumming & Dance workshops as well as performing in shows and festivals in Santa Cruz, CA. He continues to teach African Drumming and Dance in New York City, NY. Los Angeles, CA. San Diego, CA. Oakland, CA. Las Vegas, NV and Seattle, WA.

Stephanie O’Neal

Stephanie is from the United States and was born in San Francisco, California.  Stephanie is a dedicated and loyal student of ethnic dance.  She has studies many forms of African and Haitian styles and rhythms. Moreover, She incorporates dance movements from Senegal, Guinea, Haiti, and the Congo.  She has participated in many dance conferences, workshops, dance camps, and performances.  She has studied under many of the master dancers such Alassane Kane, N’deye Gueye, Aziz Faye, Ousseynou Kouyate, Alseny Somah, Patrice M’Bayerro, Blanche Brown, etc. Stephanie celebrates African dance with passion and vigor. Her objective is to participate in sharing knowledge of her vast experience through dance and song. 

Cheza Nami is proud to partner with Habitot children's museum, Our Family Coalition and Hacker moms to offer African Dancing, drumming and singing (for parents and kids 0-5) at three different locations this fall. Get moving with your child to music by exploring the sounds and songs of Africa through dance and play with Catherine of Cheza Nami (Swahili for "come play with me"). Children will develop rhythmic awareness and practice creative motion through dancing, drumming and song. Learning Swahili words and playing percussion instruments from Africa will also add to the fun!  

"Simply the most enjoyable music class for both kids AND parents this side of the Indian Ocean. " (Hackermoms)

Please join us at any one or all of these locations for some fun!

Habitot Children's Museum
2065 Kittredge Street
Berkeley, CA 
Wednesdays 10-10:30 am for only $7 drop in fee. 
September 26th, 2012 -December 5th, 2012 (No class Thanksgiving week)


Lotus Bloom
2000 Park Blvd
Oakland, CA
Saturdays 10-10:30 am. Register here
September 8th, 2012 - September 29th, 2012

HackerMoms
3288 Adeline Street
Berkeley, CA
Saturdays 10-10:30 am. $12 drop-in class or $10 per class when you buy a 6-class series for $60. 
October 6th, 2012 - November 8th, 2012

Person 1: Jambo! (Hello) 

Person 2: Jambo! (Hello)

Person 1: Habari gani? (How goes it?)

Person 2: Nzuri sana! (Great!)

Last Sunday, June 24th, was one of many opportunities this summer to learn how to speak Swahili!

About 70 local patrons attended our free event at the Pleasanton Public Library featuring a drumming presentation by Tri-Pulse Drum Ensemble led by Phil Didlake. Additional drummers included Eleanor Meadows, Jim Cooper, and Greg Cordes.

 Catherine Ndungu-Case -  led a dance activity where participants learned an African dance routine.  She also shared some songs and stories from Kenya!   Overall, everyone had an amazing time – even those who could not actively participate were seen bopping their heads cheerfully.  

Phil and Greg led a drumming activity involving everyone in the room, as each played an instrument. Greg taught the Kakilambe rhythm from Guinea which was a great learning experience for all!  If you’d like to join Phil Didlake in a drum circle, he will be in front of Bankhead theatre on Wednesday, June 27th from 6pm till sundown.  To experience a similar workshop with Cheza Nami this summer, register here -   for our upcoming workshops

We are delighted to make the local news! and on the front page too! Please read the online version of the article in the Contra Costa times here. Make sure to share with your family and friends.

Last week, energized students from Orion Alternative School in Redwood City, CA, eager to help children like themselves, participated in a walk-a-thon and raised $4000 for Asante Africa Foundation, all of which will go towards the purchase of uniforms for children in Kenya  and Tanzania. In helping them get fired up for this walk-a-thon, Cheza Nami  with the help of Master Drummer/Dancer/Performance Artist, Ibou Ngom, visited these students in March and provided multi-day assemblies. We shared with them songs, instrument play, games, dress-up activities and stories of life in Africa and left them feeling energized and ready fundraise . We are proud of these energetic and philanthropic youth and their willingness to help others in another part of the world.

If you would like us to visit your organization or School, please contact us at info@chezanami.org or give us a call at (925) 398-3827