Join us for a West African Drumming Workshop led by Fana Soro and developed by MASC (Multicultural Arts for Schools and Communities)!
Program Details
- Saturday, March 25th from 1pm – 2pm
- In the Buell St. program room on the first floor of the library
- Free, for all ages.
- Registration not required; just mark your calendars and drop in!
About this program
Fana Soro introduces participants to traditional rhythms and songs of the djembé, West Africa’s most popular drum. Participants will gain a basic understanding of the drumming connected to the dances and songs of the Senoufo culture.
About the artist
Fana Soro is a hereditary master of the balafon, West Africa’s big wooden xylophone. Fana hails from the Senoufo tribe in northern Cote d’Ivoire and spent 9 years as a member of the prestigious Ballet National de Cote d’Ivoire touring England, Holland, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Yugoslavia, Martinique and West Africa. In 1990, he moved to Norway to perform throughout the Norwegian educational system and work as Artist in Residence at the International Children’s Museum in Oslo. From there, Fana continued to tour throughout Northern Europe with the celebrated West African group, Super Djembé Kan. In 1997, Fana moved to Vancouver and formed Masabo, a performance group specializing in traditional West African music, dance and story. Fana and his family have made their home in Ottawa since 2010.
“We often see negative images and stereotypes of Africa in the media. My goal is to help change those images and show what Africa truly looks like, sounds like, and feels like.”
— Fana Soro