Hi dear friends!

I am so excited to announce that Bolokada Conde, our cherished friend and international Grandmaster Djembefola from Guinea, will be visiting St. Louis this Saturday, and teaching two pheeeenomenal workshops this Saturday, May 31.

He is so happy to be back to St. Louis and share his rich musical gems!!



So join him, join us! Learn new, spectacular Malinke rhythms, songs, history, and have a ball!

To RSVP, text or call Malena @ (314) 458 - 4282

Also visit the FB event at: https://www.facebook.com/events/1423802411225112/?source=1

Born in the hills of Morowaya, Guinea, West Africa, Conde is a master among masters and one of the richest treasures of Malinke music and folklore on earth. As one of Guinea’s most premier and prolific Malinke Djembefolas, Conde has taught the spellbinding Malinke music and folklore across the world and at the highest level. After gaining widespread acclaim as one of Guinea's most sought after village Djembefolas, Conde immigrated to America, yet he continues to perform bedazzling traditional Malinke ceremonies in villages across Guinea. A Grandmaster, Conde takes pride in sharing the Malinke rhythms, songs, and culture with sheer passion, patience, and remarkable zeal.

--Malena

*Photo: Bolokada in Guinea, by Carla.

A room full of smiles after teaching a sultry and super fun lesson in Guinea's flirtation dance of Yankady -- at Riverside City College in California.


My recent master class at Riverside City College in California has me well convinced that the next generation is on its way to creating some of the greatest thinkers and creators of all time. My students exuded an unprecedented sense of confidence, initiative, and leadership as they dove into my advanced lesson for the day.

Reflecting a tremendous array of nationalities and backgrounds, my students found common ground in the African rhythms. And as we ripped into Yankady, the full-moon, flirtation dance of the Sousou people of Guinea, my students revealed personalities and dance moves both fearless and utterly focused!

And this is why I love working with young people, and helping build their dreams. There is a light in their eyes and a believability in their bodies that vaporizes  limits, and inspires creativity.

More and more, I see how African Dance is so important to the development of young people. African Dance choreography activates the human spirit, compelling people to push beyond the average or the mundane. The complexity and rigour of the dance demands a "no guts, no glory" life philosophy, which builds strength. Through improvisational exercises, African dance helps kids break the habit of seeking approval before making a move. Best of all, African music teaches us how to stay connected to the pulse of life, but also, how to generate the very pulse of life!

I am forever thankful for the opportunity to be in a room of young people -- myself included. For once class is over, I have every confidence we are going to remake this world using the best of what we've got!

-- Malena