Click Here for our Weekly Dance & Drum Class Schedule
Mini Guinea Fest
Saturday May 16, 2015
At the Woodford’s Club, 179 Woodford St. in Portland, Maine
Building community and sharing the love, we celebrate master drummer Namory Keita’s move to Portland, the 10 Year Anniversary of Portland’s West African Inspired Dance, and the many artists and students who have helped build the energy here over the years.
Some of the amazing artists we’ll celebrate with:
Namory Keita
Youssouf Koumbassa
Sayon Camara
Abdoulaye Toure
Abou Sylla
*
Mini Guinea Fest is a celebration of West African Dance and Drumming, and its growing community here in Maine and New England.
*
The event begins with a lively dance class with Youssouf Koumbassa ~ world-renowned for his dancing, and gift for making Guinean dance accessible to all learners.
Youssouf teaching at Mechanic’s Ballroom in Portland, ME 2014
Youssouf teaching at Camp Fareta in California
Class will be followed by breaking bread together, an evening of performances with some of Guinea’s finest musicians, and some local talents from ME and NH.
Stay on afterward to join the dance party and help us give Namory a warm welcome!
*
Welcoming Namory Keita! Photo by Philip Styles
Mini Guinea Fest ~ Saturday May 16
At the Woodford’s Club, 179 Woodford St. in Portland, Maine
Doors Open at 3:30pm
4:00-5:30pm ~ All Levels West African Dance class with Youssouf Koumbassa
No experience necessary in what is certain to be a joyous dance class with revered teacher, and renowned master dancer, Youssouf Koumbassa, from Guinea. ($15 advance/$18 at door)
5:30-7:00pm ~Potluck and mingling
Please bring something to share.
7:00-9:00pm ~ West African Dance and Drum Performances
With Guinean artists, Namory Keita, Abou Sylla, Sayon Camara, Abdoulaye Toure, Theo Martey and more! Portland’s local Blue Moon Tribe, lead by Marita Kennedy-Castro, Kittery dancers lead by Elizabeth Fowler, and Araba-Lon, from New Hampshire will open up the show. ($15 advance/$18 at door)
9:00-11:30pm ~ Stay on for the party, and join the celebration!
(Included in performance ticket)
Purchase Tickets Here:
http://miniguineafest.brownpapertickets.com
Join and share the Event on Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/events/1575977879343761/
Learn about some of the guest artists:
*
Youssouf Koumbassa:
http://youssoufkoumbassag.wix.com/site
Class with Youssouf in Portland last June:
Youssouf’s Summer Camp in California:
*
Namory Keita:
*
Sayon Camara:
http://sayoncamaradrumming.com/sayon/
*
Abou Sylla:
*
Abdoulaye Toure:
http://www.meetup.com/westafricandrumdancewestchesterny/events/217732082/
Embody the Rhythm 