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For Immediate Release – Pictures available upon request.
Third Soli Drum and Dance Festival Comes to McKinney, May 22-25, 2009.
Texas’ largest drum and dance festival, presented by Drums Not Guns, will be taking place May 22-25 in McKinney, TX. This unique event will offer visitors an extensive series of traditional West African drum and dance workshops conducted by world-renowned Djembe Masters and Dance Instructors. The festival will culminate in a Masters’ Grand Finale Performance on May 25 at the McKinney Performing Arts Center.
The Soli Drum and Dance Festival attracts the nation’s best drummers and dancers to study with the Masters. The general public is also invited to take in the sites and sounds of Africa, while enjoying the wares of various vendors and live entertainment.
This four-day festival includes drum workshops offered by Djembe Masters Famoudou Konate and Mohamed Camara and West African dance classes taught by internationally-recognized dancers Djely Moussa Diabate, Tenenfig Dioubate and Jean Claude Lessou.
The Soli Drum and Dance Festival is the only Southern U.S. stop for Famoudou Konate’s “Hand To Hand Tour, 2009.” As the world-renowned leading Malinke Djembe Master, Konate will offer three days of hand-drumming workshops for every level of drummer.
Fellow Master Drummer, Mohamed Camara, will also conduct daily workshops suitable for every drummer’s level of experience.
The general public is invited to attend the Soli Drum and Dance Festival on Saturday and Sunday May 23-24th to observe some of the drum and dance workshops, enjoy other entertainment that includes storytellers, jugglers, fire-spinners and musicians. There will be food and vendors of African wares.
The Masters’ Grand Finale Performance includes performances by the masters and their students. This thrilling demonstration of West African drum and dance is suitable for all ages. Tickets are now on sale at http://www.solidrumanddance.com/register.htm
Drummers and dancers are invited to register for the workshops at http://www.solidrumanddance.com/register.htm . Drum and dance students should register early as workshop space is limited.
The Soli Drum and Dance Festival is funded in part by the City of McKinney, through the McKinney Arts Commission.
For more information, please visit
www.solidrumanddance.com or contact Randy Harp at 214-641-0782,
harpandsonswood@yahoo.com
About Drums Not Guns
Drums Not Guns is a Dallas, Texas 501 (c)(3) non-profit membership organization devoted to promoting the concept of non-violence through drumming. We believe that when people come together to enjoy and play music, greater communication and understanding are fostered and we are reminded of our common humanity and inter-reliance. Drumming builds community and expresses culture. We want to make drumming accessible, and to create safety and community so that people can experience drumming and dance as the powerful forms of self-expression they can be.
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For Immediate Release – photos available upon request (Drummers Press Release)
Soli Drum and Dance Festival Brings Famoudou Konate and Mohamed Camara to McKinney, TX.
Texas’ largest drum and dance festival, presented by Drums Not Guns, will be taking place May 22-25 in McKinney, TX. This unique event attracts the nation’s best drummers and dancers to study with the Masters, offering visitors an extensive series of traditional West African drum and dance workshops conducted by world-renowned Djembe Masters and Dance Instructors. The four-day festival culminates in the Masters’ Grand Finale Performance at the McKinney Performing Arts Center on Monday, May 25 at 4 p.m.
The Soli Drum and Dance Festival is the only Southern U.S. stop for the Famoudou Konate’s “Hand To Hand Tour, 2009.” Konate, the world’s leading Malinke Djembe Master, will offer three days of hand-drumming workshops for every level of drummer.
Fellow Master Drummer, Mohamed Camara, formerly of Percussiones de Guinea (the seven best drummers from Guinea), will also conduct daily workshops suitable drummers of every level of experience. The intensive drum workshops offered by Camara will raise the level of hand drum skills for attendees.
Both Konate and Camara will teach traditional West African rhythms on djembe and djudjuns. The depth of experience of these masters and their extraordinary teaching skills will provide students from the Southwest, and other parts of the world, the skills needed to deliver solid drumming at dance and drum circle events.
Workshops require pre-registration at http://www.solidrumanddance.com. The Famoudou Konate “Hand to Hand Tour 2009” workshop is $300. Mohamed Camara’s workshops are $55 (included in registration for the Famoudou Konate workshop). There are discounts for seniors, youth and Drums Not Guns Members.
For complete information about The Soli Drum and Dance Festival and available workshops, please visit www.solidrumanddance.com or contact Randy Harp at (214) 641-0782.
The Soli Drum and Dance Festival is funded in part by the City of McKinney through the McKinney Arts Commission.
About Drums Not Guns
Drums Not Guns is a Dallas, Texas 501 (c)(3) non-profit membership organization devoted to promoting the concept of non-violence through drumming. We believe that when people come together to enjoy and play music, greater communication and understanding are fostered and we are reminded of our common humanity and inter-reliance. Drumming builds community and expresses culture. We want to make drumming accessible, and to create safety and community so that people can experience drumming and dance as the powerful forms of self-expression they can be.
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Soli Festival Press Release (Dancers Press release)
Soli Drum and Dance Festival Announces Intensive West African Dance Program presenting Moussa Diabate, Tenenfig Dioubate and Jean Claude Lessou.
Texas’ largest drum and dance festival, presented by Drums Not Guns, will be taking place May 22-25 in McKinney, TX. This unique event attracts the nation’s best drummers and dancers to study with the Masters, offering visitors an extensive series of traditional West African drum and dance workshops conducted by world-renowned Dance Instructors and Djembe Masters. The four-day festival culminates in the Masters’ Grand Finale Performance at the McKinney Performing Arts Center on Monday, May 25 at 4 p.m.
The Soli Drum and Dance Festival offers a broad array of West African dance workshops for beginning and advanced dancers. Djeli Tenenfig Dioubate and Djeli Moussa Diabate, both of Guinea, West Africa and formerly with “Les Ballets Africains de Guinea”, and Jean Claude Lessou of Ivory Coast, West Africa will each conduct a series of intensive dance workshops accompanied by Mohamed Camara on the djembe.
Dancers will have the unique opportunity to learn the art of West African movement from world renowned Dance Masters. They will be supported by music provided by some of the world’s best drummers.
Dancers are encouraged to register now at www.solidrumanddance.com Space is limited.
For complete information about The Soli Drum and Dance Festival and available workshops, please visit www.solidrumanddance.com or contact Randy Harp at (214) 641-0782.
The Soli Drum and Dance Festival is funded in part by the City of McKinney through the McKinney Arts Commission.
About Drums Not Guns
Drums Not Guns is a Dallas, Texas 501 (c)(3) non-profit membership organization devoted to promoting the concept of non-violence through drumming. We believe that when people come together to enjoy and play music, greater communication and understanding are fostered and we are reminded of our common humanity and interreliance. Drumming builds community and expresses culture. We want to make drumming accessible, and to create safety and community so that people can experience drumming and dance as the powerful forms of self-expression they can be.