Past Projects:
The African Diaspora Arts Festival
African Diaspora Art Festival
The African Diaspora Art Festival mission is to share with the audience the culture and heritage of people of African descent by focusing on storytelling, spoken word, dance, visual arts and music from throughout the Diaspora. Our goal is to provide a venue, in Rockland County, where the art of the African Diaspora can be explored and celebrated. Children engage themselves in fun-filled educational and craft activities that permit them to gain a greater understanding of the culture and history of the people of the African Diaspora. Local musicians, dancers, and poets provide the entertainment.
2009 Festival Participants:
Motherland Rhythms
Motherland Rhythms opened its doors in October 2005 and has continued to carry out its mission. This mission is to introduce the art of African culture to the masses through dance, drum and other artistic outlets, while bridging the gap between generations and communities. Motherland Rhythms is committed to teaching cultural awareness, expanding the knowledge of African culture and its connection with today. Under the direction of Arthur Lorde, Motherland Rhythms will give you a taste of cultures that's promised to be flavorful.
Jerry Kwashie Dzokoto—Master Drummer
Master Drummer Jerry Kwashie Dzokoto is a renowned African Traditional Musician from Ghana, West Africa. Jerry has a vast knowledge in West African drumming and dance. Though Jerry was born in Ghana, he has learned the traditions of other tribes in Africa. As a powerful and inspirational djembe player, he also plays other African instruments like the "Gyle" (the pentatonic xylophone), “Atenteben” the bamboo flute. Jerry is also a music scholar from the University of Education, Winneba, Ghana. Jerry is not just a master drummer but a dancer and choreographer.
Sam Waymon and The Magic Band
Sam Waymon and The Magic Band is an outgrowth of the musical vision of Sam
Waymon. Born in North Carolina, Sam began his musical odyssey playing along with his sister, Eunice. Along the way she dropped her given name and became one of music's most influential and independent musicians, known as Nina Simone. Sam worked with his sister for over ten years but finally broke away to develop his own style that combined everything from gospel to jazz. In his present band he has assembled a group that shares his vision of promoting the best of original American music, namely rhythm & blues/blues/jazz. Through Sam's own repertoire of over 400 songs as well as covers of some classic tunes, the band can rock and soul any audience.
Band members: Sam Waymon-Keyboards, Vocals, Mario Giampaglia-Guitar, Vocals Laurence Holland-Bass, Vocals, Brent Williams-Drums, Larry White-Percussion, Colin Pohl-Sax.
United Youth Movement – Spoken Word Artist
The United Youth Movement (UYM) Poet's Cafe is a monthly fundraiser that benefits for the United Youth Movement of Rockland County. The United Youth
Movement Poet's cafe has been successful in attracting up-and-coming poets and experienced spoken word artists throughout the tri-state area.
United Youth Movements (UYM) is an organization that focuses on literacy, mentorship, and youth development through performing arts enrichment. Today's performance will showcase Deidre-ann Frater and friends. Deidre-ann Frater is the Founder and Director of the UYM performance art enrichment program and is the creative host of the UYM Poets Cafe. Today's performance is entitled "Freedrum.
2009 Community Poets: Tsebiya Derry, Hope Derry, Les St. Louis, Dee Foreman, and Erica Nathan.