We’re excited to welcome Seny Daffe back to Kittery on April 25 for a special Dundun Dance class! Namory will teach a drum class beforehand and lead the accompaniment for the dance with Seny.
photo of dundun dance class at the Dance Hall in Kittery
Drum class with Namory Keita 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. $15.00 drop-in
Dundun dance class with Seny Daffe 6:45 to 8:15 p.m. $18.00 drop-in or $15.00 for people with punch cards (just pay $3.00 extra at the door)
Reserve your drum today! Join Namory and Seny for these high-energy and joy-filled classes.
Seny will be teaching a traditional Guinean style dance class on Tuesday, April 23 at Portland New Church from 6:00-7:30 p.m. More details through Embody the Rhythm
Namory Keita is continuing with his weekly teaching schedule in Maine – Mondays in Portland and Thursdays in Kittery. On Saturday, March 30, he is offering the first of the year intermediate/advanced drum workshops.
Explore the intricate layers of West African traditional ensemble playing with this Master Village Drummer. Don’t miss this rare opportunity he is providing for his intermediate and advanced students. You can choose to come for just the first half or the entire workshop.
Saturday, March 30 First Half
11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
$30.00 paid ahead or $40.00 at the door
This section will focus on the complexities of the djembé, setting the rhythmic stage for the entire ensemble with dunduns.
Entire Workshop
11:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
$60.00 paid ahead or $70.00 at the door
The second half will be dedicated to developing the dundun lines for the rhythms we learned in the first half along with variations.
kenkeni, sangban, or dundun – whatever you can fit in your car – and of course sticks
If you need to borrow a djembé or dundun for the class or have any questions, please let us know by emailing mebdancn4ever@gmail.com.
Please note: this workshop is not for beginners. Namory teaches all levels classes Mondays in Portland and Thursdays in Kittery. Please visit the classes page on Namory’s website for information on the ongoing drum and dance classes.
Namory at a dundunba in his village of Sangbaralla
Drum class
5:30-6:30 pm
$15.00 drop-in
~Be sure to let Namory know ahead of time if you’ll need to borrow a drum~
Dance class
6:45-8:15 pm
$15.00 drop-in or $96.00 for 8-pre-paid classes
This week we will do both dance and dundun dance.
~Wear comfortable clothing. Bring water to stay hydrated.~
~Dance is usually done in barefeet but clean soft-soled shoes are fine.~
Thursday night classes at the Dance Hall in Kittery are continuing through early 2019. Be sure to check here or on our Facebook group page if the weather is questionable to be sure that classes are on.
Namory will be back in Kittery, February 21 and until then we are keeping the beat going!
Drum class with Ult Mundane (through February 14)
5:30 to 6:30
$15.00
Dance class with Liz
6:45 to 8:15
$15.00 drop-in or $96 for 8 pre-paid classes
I’m recently back from a few weeks in Guinea and excited to share some of the new dances I learned from Seny Daffe and other dancers with you all!
Stay tuned: we’ll be hosting Seny again in March and other guest artists throughout the year.
There will be no drum and dance classes on Thursday, November 22. Enjoy the evening with friends or family.
Namory Keita will be back from traveling for two weeks before heading off to Guinea.
Join us for some festive classes November 29 and December 6! There will be a post-class potluck and party on December 6th as we send Namory off for the winter in Guinea.
What you can bring to class on December 6th:
a dish to share – drink (non-alcoholic only), appetizers, meal, or dessert (no need for paper or plastic ware, we’ve got a good stash)
contributions for Namory’s school project in Guinea – Hamana Arts Center
a little extra money to spend at the “bazaar”, a collection of clothes, jewelry, and more – pay what you wish, with the proceeds going to Namory’s project
small amounts of warm-weather kids clothing and/or over-the-counter first aid supplies, which Liz will bring to Guinea in January
Last week Namory, Liz, and several drummers and dancers from Thursday night classes spent an hour at Rice Public Library in Kittery. Namory led a few songs and rhythms and several people who were there to watch joined in with the drumming and dancing. Folks from Seacoastonline captured some of the evening with photos and a story.
Thursday, August 16: there are no classes but we’ll be back at the Dance Hall on August 23 starting with drum class at 5:30 pm.
Seny Daffe will be back in the area in early September collaborating on classes and a performance with Namory.
Thursday, September 6: Seny will teach a dundun dance class at the Dance Hall in Kittery
Drum class with Namory 5:30 to 6:30 $15.00
Dundun dance class with Seny 6:45 to 8:15 $18.00 for drop ins or $15.00 for students with punch cards Reserve your drums now!
Saturday, September 8: Seny, Namory, Marita Kennedy-Castro and folks from Portland’s New Moon Ensemble perform at Henryfest in North Yarmouth, ME.
Sunday, September 9: Drum and dance classes with Seny and Namory at Maine Ballroom Dance, Portland
Drum class with Namory 10:00 am to 11:00 am
Dance class with Seny 11:30 am to 1:00 pm
$16 each class or $30 for both
Contact Marita to sign up, and please be sure to specify if you’ll take drum, dance, or both classes: https://embodytherhythm.com/contact/
We’re trying to organize a class for Seny and Namory in Cambridge – stay tuned!
Seny Daffe will return to teach a dundun dance class Thursday, May 10 at the Dance Hall.
Drum class with Namory Keita from 5:30 to 6:30 – $15.00,
Dundun dance with Seny from 6:45 to 8:15. $18.00 for drop-ins or $15.00 for students with a punch card.
Be sure to let us know if you need to borrow a drum for either class. Join us at the Dance Hall for another wonderful evening with Seny and Namory!
Save the date:
Thursday, May 24 Afro-Brazilian Fusion ABIEIÉ Dance Class with Irineu Nogueira
Bolokada Conde, djembefola from Guinea, will guest teach drum class Thursday, March 29 at the The Dance Hall.
Drum class from 5:30 to 6:45 – $20.00.
Dance class, taught by Liz Fowler will be accompanied by Bolokada from 6:45 to 8:15 – $15.00 for drop-ins or use your punch card.
Join us for the first of many classes with Bolokada to come!
Seny Daffe will return to teach a dundun dance class Thursday, April 5 at the Dance Hall.
Drum class with Namory Keita from 5:30 to 6:30 – $15.00,
Dundun dance with Seny from 6:45 to 8:15. $18.00 for drop-ins or $15.00 for students with a punch card.
Save the date:
Thursday, May 24 Afro-Brazilian Fusion ABIEIÉ Dance Class with Irineu Nogueira
Seacoast West African Dance and Drum 