Cumbe Dance Center Announces “Sounds of Africa” Sunday Family Workshops in July

July 19, 2012 - PRLog -- Cumbe: Center for African and Diaspora Dance, Brooklyn's new home for African and diaspora dance and drumming, invites families across New York City to attend the “Sounds of Africa” Sunday Workshops this Sunday, July 22, and next Sunday, July 29, from 11:30 a.m. - 1:30 p.m. at Cumbe’s dance studio on Fulton Street, near the Brooklyn Academy of Music.  The “Sounds of Africa” Family Workshops are part of Cumbe’s commitment to educate and enrich the community by teaching the historic traditions of African music and culture, as well as the new forms they inspired.

Through these interactive Sunday Family Workshops, master teachers and artists make music and dance fun and accessible to both children and their parents, creating a lively, inquisitive energy that defines Cumbe’s after school classes, early childhood programs, and adult classes.

Acclaimed master drummer M'Bemba Bangoura leads “Dundun Drum and Dance” this Sunday, July 22, with special offerings for teenagers age 13-18.  Mr. Bangoura is an international performer who achieved the status of master drummer at the age of 21 and played with Ballet Djoliba, Guinea’s premiere ballet company.

Next Sunday, July 29, Kevin Nathaniel Hylton teaches an "Eco-Percussion Construction and Jam” workshop for ages 5-12. Mr. Hylton is an accomplished percussionist, composer, music producer, and specialist on the mbira and shekere instruments. In Mr. Hylton’s workshop, families will build and play their own drums and rattles from reusable, easy-to find household items.

“The Sunday Family Workshops are a wonderful opportunity for children, teens, and families to learn about African music and dance in an intimate setting with two of the most respected artists in New York City,” says Jimena Martinez, one of the founders and co-directors of Cumbe. “Providing New Yorkers with fun and engaging ways to learn about traditional and contemporary African rhythms and culture is one of our main goals.”

Registration for Cumbe’s Fall After School Classes opens this Friday, July 20. An Early Bird Discount is offered to those who sign up at the Sunday Family Workshops or online until August 12 at cumbedance[dot]com.

Cumbe: Center for African and Diaspora Dance is the new home for African and diaspora dance and drumming in Brooklyn, offering a wide variety of dance and percussion classes and cultural programming. Cumbe’s dynamic, experienced teachers and inviting space immerse children, teens, and adults in the joyful vitality of traditional and contemporary dance styles including West African, Congolese, Brazilian, Cuban, Hip Hop, House, and Salsa. For more information on Cumbe Classes or Cumbe event space availability for rehearsals, performances, meetings and parties visit cumbedance[dot]com.