Category Archives: African Dance

Upcoming Events

Posted on March 27, 2013 | 2 Comments

African Spring Celebration
with Message From Guinea, Thione Diop and Yeke Yeke
Saturday March 30, 7:00 pm – 1:00 am

Great music, great dancing, great way to celebrate spring. Music by Message From Guinea, Thione Diop and Yeke Yeke, DJ Kwasee.
Your hosts: Laurie Sylla and Afua N’diaye
Location: Hiawatha Lofts, 843 Hiawatha Place South, Seattle , 98144
African cuisine, bar: $15 admission

message_from_guinea_promo_shot

Fatoumata Diawara at Jazz Alley April 2-3
One of the breakout stars from this year’s edition of New York City’s globalFEST, breakout Malian singer/songwriter Fatoumata Diawara mixes elements of jazz, pop and funk along with her ancestral Wassoulou tradition.
Jazz Alley 2033 6th Avenue, Seattle WA Ph: 206.441.9729 http://www.jazzalley.com/directions.asp

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African Music Nites in March

Posted on March 3, 2013 | 2 Comments

March 8: African Music Nites Double Bill with Denbaya and Spirit of Ojah
8:30 – 11:00 at The Royal Room, 5000 Rainier Ave S
Denbaya is led by popular Guinean drummer and dancer Manimou Camara. This multi-ethnic dance and drum troupe presents an exuberant and joyful combination of rhythms, soul-soaring dance, and melodic melodies from the Susu, Malinke, Baga and K’pelle cultures of Guinea. http://www.douniadjembe.com/
The Spirit of Ojah Dance Band, led by legendary Ghanaian highlife drummer Roger Ocquaye, plays long harmonious waves of sound and rhythm: jungle rhythm, reggae and highlife from West Africa and America! http://www.myspace.com/spiritofojah

March 22: Sean Gaskell plays the Kora
9:00 – 11:00 pm at Lucid Lounge, 5241 University Way NE
Olympia resident Sean Gaskell performs traditional and contemporary tunes of the Mande peoples on the West African 21 string kora. Sean studied under the instruction of Malamini Jobarteh and Moriba Kuyateh over the course of two extended visits to Gambia. He has toured nationally in the US and has been awarded recognition in Gambia for his musical achievements. See www.reverbnation.com/seangaskell
Suggested donation $5-15
Produced by African Music Nites
Support live African music!
AMN-logo-3-baobab-sun

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Denbaya and Spirit of Ojah March 8

Posted on February 25, 2013 | Comments Off

African Music Nites Double Bill Friday March 8
8:30 – 11:00 at The Royal Room
5000 Rainier Ave S http://theroyalroomseattle.com/

Denbaya and Spirit of Ojah
Denbaya is led by popular Guinean drummer and dancer Manimou Camara. This multi-ethnic dance and drum troupe presents an exuberant and joyful combination of rhythms, soul-soaring dance, and melodic melodies from the Susu, Malinke, Baga and K’pelle cultures of Guinea. http://www.douniadjembe.com/
ManimouDancing

The Spirit of Ojah Dance Band, led by legendary Ghanaian highlife drummer Roger Ocquaye, plays long harmonious waves of sound and rhythm: jungle rhythm, reggae and highlife from West Africa and America! http://www.myspace.com/spiritofojah
Ojah1

Suggested donation $5-15
Produced by African Music Nites
Support live African music!
AMN-logo-3-baobab-sun

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African Music Nites in December

Posted on November 20, 2012 | Comments Off

Thanks to everyone who came out in the rain for the Bongo Love show at Waid’s – they were great! Here are the December shows, both at The Royal Room, to put on your calendar. Happy Thanksgiving to all, Claire

Saturday December 8: African Music Nites Tribute to Obo Addy
The Royal Room 9:00-12:00 pm
Portland-based Obo Addy, a master Ghanaian drummer and award-winning composer, passed away in September. Join three Seattle bands in paying tribute to this brilliant and pioneering musician:
Anokye Agofomma – led by master drummer Yaw Amponsah and inspired by the teaching of his father, the legendary Koo Nimo. Be prepared for hot Ghanaian Asante drumming as well as popular palm wine music.
African All-Stars – danceable Afro pop music from some of Seattle’s best African musicians, featuring Yaw Amponsah/drums and Mohammed Shaibu on guitar, vocals and talking drum.
Maya Soleil – an electric and eclectic Afro-World fusion ensemble led by keyboardist Rob Pastorok.

Saturday December 15: Eckaman and Super Mokako close out Royal Room First Anniversary Party – 12 midnight
Come celebrate The Royal Room’s spectacular first year in Seattle with five bands playing music from 7 pm until 1 am. Eckaman and Super Mokako close out the party with irresistible dance rhythms of Congolese soukous and original Afro-funk, topped by Eckaman’s soaring vocals.
Check The Royal Room website for the complete anniversary lineup http://theroyalroomseattle.com/

The Royal Room, 5000 Rainier Ave S
Suggested donation $5-15
Produced by African Music Nites
Support live African music!

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Posted in African Dance, African Music, Ghanaian Music

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Thione Diop and Afro Groove at The Royal Room Sept 29

Posted on September 24, 2012 | Comments Off

Saturday September 29 @ 9-11:30 pm: Thione Diop with Yeke Yeke and Afro Groove.
Sensational Senegalese percussionist Thione Diop’s Afro Groove mixes West African rhythms with other world music influences including Afro-Cuban, New Orleans and other parts of Africa. Yeke Yeke opens with traditional percussion rhythms from Senegal, Guinea and other parts of Africa.
http://thionediop.com/

Come show your support for African Music Nites at this wonderful club, The Royal Room in Columbia City! http://theroyalroomseattle.com/

Suggested donation $5-15
Produced by African Music Nites
Support live African music!

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Zimbabwe Night August 19th at The Royal Room

Posted on August 13, 2012 | Comments Off

Hi all,
Note the early start for this show at The Royal Room, 5000 Rainier Ave S. in Columbia City. http://theroyalroomseattle.com/

Sunday August 19, 7:30 to 9:30pm
Jacob Mafuleni and Martha Thom with Ruzivo
Talented multi-instrumentalist Jacob Mafuleni and sensational dancer and vocalist Martha Thom are currently on tour from Zimbabwe. They will join forces with the local marimba-Afropop band Ruzivo, led by Paul Mataruse, to present traditional and contemporary sounds of Zimbabwe. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ruzivo or http://lafango.com/epk/ruzivomusic


Suggested donation $5-15
Produced by African Music Nites
Support live African music!

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African Music Nites in August

Posted on July 31, 2012 | 1 Comment

Hi all,
Both shows this month are at The Royal Room. Please show your support for African Music Nites at this great new club, 5000 Rainier Ave S. in Columbia City! http://theroyalroomseattle.com/

Saturday August 11: Double bill with Meter Maids and Freestyle Candela
8:30 and 10:30 pm The Meter Maids
Led by Wayne Horvitz, The Meter Maids play the music of New Orleans based funk band The Meters.
9:30 and 11:30 pm Leif Totusek and Candela
Leif has a great feel for African guitar and his group Freestyle Candela sizzles with spirited soukous, high-life and other Afro-pop styles. www.leiftotusek.com

Sunday August 19 @ 7:30pm: Zimbabwean Music Nite with Jacob and Martha and Ruzivo
Talented multi-instrumentalist Jacob Mafuleni and dancer/vocalist Martha Thom join forces with the local marimba-Afropop band Ruzivo to present traditional and contemporary sounds of Zimbabwe. http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/ruzivo or http://lafango.com/epk/ruzivomusic



Suggested donation $5-15
Produced by African Music Nites
Support live African music!

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July 29th at Waid’s

Posted on July 21, 2012 | Comments Off

Come out and boogie to Guinean music and snack on delicious Haitian food!

DVD Release Party with Message from Guinea
July 29th 8-10 pm
Join Abdoulaye Sylla and Message From Guinea to celebrate the release of Abdoulaye’s new dance instruction DVD, La Guinee Faree. Featuring master artists from Guinea’s world-renowned national company, Les Ballets Africains, Message From Guinea brings to life celebratory dance and percussion pieces that represent the folkloric traditions of several different ethnic groups of West Africa. These Guinean artists light up the stage with a spirit of joy and a message of cultural unity that will bring you to your feet.

Waid’s Haitian Cuisine and Lounge, 1414 E. Jefferson

Waid’s kitchen is open again, serving wonderful Haitian food!

Produced by AFRICAN MUSIC NITES
LIVE MUSIC FROM AFRICA AND THE DIASPORA
$5-15 SUGGESTED DONATION

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Caribbean Food at African Music Nites celebration today Feb 19!

Posted on February 19, 2012 | Comments Off

Hi African music lovers,
Announcing a late addition to our African Music Nites Consortium Anniversary celebration at Waid’s today and tonight! Andrew Hype will be in Waid’s courtyard with his Caribbean Mobile Kitchen this afternoon following the dance workshops and this evening during the music performances. Come early to learn a new dance from Guinea or the Congo and enjoy delicious Caribbean snacks. Come back this evening to celebrate Brazilian carnival with Eduardo Mendonça and kick back with Roger Ocquaye and the Spirit of Ojah.
Claire and Shawna

All events take place at Waid’s Haitian Cuisine and Lounge, 1212 E. Jefferson, (near Seattle University)

Workshops:
3:00- 4:00 pm – Contemporary Congolese Dance with Makeda Ebube
4:00- 5:00 pm – Traditional Guinean Dance (style TBD) with Manimou Camara

Performances:
8:00- 8:50 pm – A Taste of Carnival with Eduardo Mendonça Trio
9:00- 10:00 pm – Roger Ocquaye and Spirit of Ojah: Jungle rhythm, reggae and highlife from West Africa and America!

Live Music Sunday evenings 8 – 10 PM
Waid’s Haitian Cuisine and Lounge
1212 E. Jefferson St., Seattle
$5 Suggested Donation
Produced by African Music Nites Consortium

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