You probably aren’t aware that there is a large African Drum and Dance community right here in the Valley. If you want to experience some pure joy, come on down to Eastlake Park at 16th Street and Jefferson in downtown Phoenix on Saturday mornings. Between 10:30 and Noon every Saturday (except during holiday weekends), about 40 dancers and 10-15 drummers show up to learn a different ethnic dance and rhythm from West Africa. It is a free event (except for the $5/YEAR fee for a City of Phoenix Recreation card).
The drummers are there to support the dancers, and I can tell you it takes quite a lot of stamina to be able to hang in there playing the same rhythm for an hour. However, after a few minutes, it almost becomes a meditation as you allow the vibration of the drums to move the energy through your body. And if you have the nerve, you can join the dancers and the member of the Kawambe-Omawale professional dance troupe demonstrate all the steps for that particular rhythm. At the end of the hour, the dancers form a circle with the drummers and then individual dancers come into the middle of the circle to let it all hang out as they express themselves with reckless abandon.
My husband and I have been participating almost every week for over 4 years now and I can tell you it is a real delight to connect with this international community of new friends who will become like family to you after a few months. If you want to meet us there so we can show you around, just give me a call at 623-694-4499.
For more information, check out www.azdrumanddance.org to find out about all the other drumming and dancing opportunities going on throughout the Valley.
See you in the circle!
