Sankofa Kuumba - Cultural Arts Consortium, Hartford CT: Programs

P.O. Box 1255, Hartford CT 06143-1255 • phone: (860) 635-0725 • info@sankofakuumba.org

Performances		Workshops
*Excerpts from The Journey* (K-12) This dance performance is a trip through time and space to cultures within Africa and the African Diaspora. Through drumming, song and dance, Sankofa Kuumba represents aspects of traditions including West Africa, South Africa, Puerto Rico, Cuba, America, Jamaica and the Caribbean. Mandeng Dance and Drumming (3-12)** This performance is actually a workshop-performance combination....		Drum Circle Workshop Discover what a Drum Circle is. Dances of the African Diaspora On the African continent, dances are as diverse as the countries and cultures. In this workshop... ELAI: Diversity Training and Positive Youth Development Workshop Diversity Training through the arts offers a powerful experience where participants explore and express new awareness of diversity through collaborative, creative activities. More info.
Teacher In-Services		Residencies
• Enhancing the Curriculum Through Kinesthetic, Musical Intelligence Movement, drumming and song can be woven into a curriculum to develop a wide range of talents and intelligences while deepening understanding of multi-culturalism, building learning skills and improving writing abilities. The Sankofa Kuumba workshop artist(s) demonstrate this kinesthetic learning process by providing teachers with the practical skills needed to facilitate an authentic musical environment in the classroom, using activities in the Sciences, Social Studies and Language Arts curriculum. Designed for non-musicians, these activities enhance listening skills and powers of observation by comparing African drumming and song techniques with those of other cultures. • Cultural Competency: Staff Development Training		*The Journey: Ancestors* Students explore African culture and history through the learning and making of songs, dances and visual/textile arts. Each student is also led through activities designed to help them explore their own cultural heritage. The workshops conclude by studying the impact of culture and ancestry on our sense of identity: who we are and how we understand and experience the world. (more details below) The Journey: Amistad The Amistad replica is an invaluable educational tool, offering the opportunity to explore the confluence of African and European culture and to learn about the history of slavery and civil rights in this country. Curriculum includes a field trip to the Amistad, instruction in African (Mende) dance and drumming, and the creation of art and/or song. A detailed written curriculum of lessons, activities and goals is available. (more details below)

These award-winning programs can be conducted both in-school and after-school, and can be located either at school facilities or at local community centers. Sankofa is a versatile group, able to offer many different configurations depending on your needs and budget. You can request anything from a single dancer or drummer to an ensemble of several dancers and drummers. Prices depend on the number of artists, amount of time and travel considerations.

Sankofa always performs in full, traditional African dress and uses authentic African instruments in its programs.

To book Sankofa Kuumba for an educational program or performance, or to inquire about dees and availability, please contact:

Nandi
phone: 860-635-0725
fax: 860-632-0391
e-mail: regina@sankofakuumba.org

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

ELAI: Diversity Training & Character Development Programs

A specialized team of Sankofa artists have created ELAI: Experiential Learning Arts Initiative. The arts are a rich medium that allows students to explore and express ideas about diversity, gaining awareness through collaborative, creative activities. More info at the ELAI page.

The Journey

"The Journey" is a trip through time and space to cultures within Africa and the African Diaspora. Through drumming, song and dance, Sankofa Kuumba represents aspects of traditions throughout the African Diaspora, including those of West Africa, South Africa, Puerto Rico, Cuba, America, Jamaica, and the Caribbean. The Journey is a representation and celebration of our shared humanity throughout cultures, highlighting the similarities which serve to draw us all closer together. The Journey programs focuses on the artistic traditions of Africa and the African Diaspora which have become a central aspect of American culture, including social and sacred dance, improvisational polyrhythmic music, and bold abstract visual and textile art.

This program can be booked with 2-7 artists, either as a single lecture/demonstration, as a series of workshops, or as an artist residency complete with curriculum tie-ins.

The Journey: Amistad

The Amistad offers a unique teaching opportunity, helping to transport students into another age. Sankofa has developed a detailed curriculum around the recently completed replica of the famous ship whose African captives won their freedom, first by force and then through the U.S. courts in a landmark decision. The program includes an exploration of MendeWest-African culture, the "vicious triangle of the American slave trade, and the history of civil rights legislation. Like other Journey programs, it focuses on the artforms of Africa and the African Diaspora which have flowered in the 160 years since theAmistad episode to become a central aspect of American culture, including social and sacred dance, improvisational polyrhythmic music, and bold abstract visual and textile art.

This program can be booked with 1-3 artists, either as a single lecture/demonstration, as a series of workshops, or as an artist residency complete with curriculum tie-ins. Sankofa Kuumba has developed a complete study guide, currently used by CREC, for this program.

Bridging the Gap: Dance and Disabilities

Dancer and choreographer Sidiki Condé leads students to a deeper understanding of what it means to be fully human despite and through one's disabilities. Condé, a native of Guinea, was paralyzed from the waist down by a childhood illness; overcoming this seemingly insurmountable obstacle, he has become a world-renowned performing artist, dancing with rare grace and energy. This workshop both introduces students to African dance and culture and adds a new dimension to the study of diversity.To watch and dance with Conde is a simply unforgettable experience.

This program can be booked with 2-4 artists, all visiting from Guinea, as a single lecture/demonstration or a day of workshops.