Always one of Rootead’s most popular programs, Community Drum and Dance is a multigenerational, traditional West African Dance celebration, which will be held at numerous locations throughout the Greater Kalamazoo area this summer.
All ages and all levels are encouraged to attend these classes, which are accompanied with live drumming, and all events are pay-what-you-can and donation-based with online registration requested.
“All people within the village join Community Drum and Dance whether they’re pregnant, carrying their newborns on their back, babies, infants, grandparents… It’s a really great experience for anybody to join to explore the live drumming and dancing of West African dance,” said Jay Young, Youth and Cultural Arts Director at Rootead. “There are people who usually watch and listen as well. You can be someone who watches. You can be someone who is dancing. You can be admiring the drums and the music. Everybody’s just in the space bouncing energy off one another. It’s just amazing.”
The El Concilio Health Day Event at Spring Valley Park (Saturday, Aug. 14 at 11am) celebrates the Dundunba rhythm. The “strong man's” rhythm and dance, Dundunba is an iconic West African celebratory rhythm to build power.
This event is held in conjunction with El Concilio's Health Day, which will also feature a 5k, yoga, and more.