Unity Dance and Drum is hosting Kofi Anang for a series of exciting events October 15th-18th. You won’t want to miss this experience! Information about the week provided by Unity Dance and Drum below:
SAVE THE DATES! October 15-18 Unity Dance & Drum presents Kofi Anang, in Missoula to share music, dance and storytelling from Ghana, West Africa.
Kofi is a staple of West African performance and teaching in the Pacific Northwest. His organization, Ocheami, in Seattle, WA, was founded with the purpose of sharing West African culture by providing authentic, quality instruction and performances in African Arts — and to have these experiences accessible to all.
Kofi Anang is a graduate of the University of Ghana, Department of Music and Dance. He performed with the Ghana National Dance Ensemble throughout the world from 1965-1972. Kofi was lead dancer and musician with the late Obo Addy, a well-respected Ghanaian musician, from 1972-1977. Incorporating his talents as a dancer, drummer, teacher and choreographer, Kofi co-founded Ocheami in 1978, and serves as Artistic Director.
SCHEDULE
Tuesday, October 16, Missoula Senior Center (705 S. Higgins)
Drum class 5:30-7:00pm
Dance Class 7-8:30pm
$20/class suggested
Wednesday, October 17, 7:00pm, Open Space (PARTV005), UM Campus
Evening performance and sampling of music (kalimba, drums, bells, song), storytelling, dance, and conversation of Ghana, West Africa — come enjoy Kofi Anang in his element, sharing his knowledge and expertise with Missoula! Free for UM students, $5-$20 suggested donation at the door. Co-sponsored by the UM Dance Department and Unity Dance & Drum.
UM classes: please respect UM policy that you must be invited by Tarn Ream into these classes (please contact Tarn with questions, tarn.ream@umontana.edu)
Students will learn the dance Abaja – a ceremonial dance from the Eve people of Ghana that is performed at Home Going Celebrations (transition from life to death). The dance is based on the movements of a bird because now the spirit is free…
Monday, October 15, 4:00-5:20pm dance
Wednesday, October 17, 4:00-5:20pm drum
UM students free, donation suggested for non-UM folks.
More about Ocheami:
Ocheami is an African Arts organization that aspires to promote healthy, holistic lifestyle practices, cultural competency through education and cultural development, independently and in collaborative ventures with other organizations.
We are a group of artists and educators with a common goal, to study, share and perform West African culture to support healthy perspectives of life. Ocheami means linguist, the representative who speaks on behalf of the chief in the Ga Language of Ghana, West Africa. Ocheami are “performers speaking on behalf of West African people through drumming, dance, song and storytelling.”
Ocheami is currently celebrating their 30 plus years of providing excellent programs in these disciplines.
