This week, I was luckly to work with Vado, teaching the youth of New York traditional Ivorian dance with a high dose of Djembe and Dunun power!
It was in class, while playing the Dunun drums, I felt a force of strength that sent me right over the moon! Our students felt it instantly and began screaming, "I am aliiiive! I am soooo alive!" With the passion as palpable as ever, I was overcome with joy that God has called me to dance, that the universe has laid the bounty of African dance at my feet! Now, as we embark on this journey, "Don't stop dancing!" Vado urges. For through dance, "You get older, but you look young!" Yes! --Malena
It was in class, while playing the Dunun drums, I felt a force of strength that sent me right over the moon! Our students felt it instantly and began screaming, "I am aliiiive! I am soooo alive!" With the passion as palpable as ever, I was overcome with joy that God has called me to dance, that the universe has laid the bounty of African dance at my feet! Now, as we embark on this journey, "Don't stop dancing!" Vado urges. For through dance, "You get older, but you look young!" Yes! --Malena
Bolokada Conde
Why I'm going to Guinea with Bolokada.... again! & Why you should go with us!
10:43 AM
Bolokada's Drum & Dance intensive in Guinea this December & January is coming straight from his heart to yours! If you are considering traveling with Bolokada and I, please check out the video itinerary below, & get gooood & ready!
Some people may ask, ‘well why travel alllll the way to Africa to learn?’… The importance of actually being in Guinea can not be overstated.
Bolokada’s workshops: We learn right inside Bolokada’s house, which makes each class a very personal and intense experience; As we train with Bolokada, we get to interact with his friends and family, and a number of his special visitors from Koungbana to his star Djembefola brother Fakoli
Working with Bolokada’s company: His band of musicians are just the most brilliant perfectionist and adventure buddies. Between Bolokada and his company, we learn so much about traditional Malinke rhythms and arrangements… They won’t let you slack either; Surrounded by musical excellence, you grow by kicks and strides
Live Djembefola ceremonies: Because Bolokada is still a leading Djembefola in the villages of Guinea, we got to participate in real cultural ceremonies, weddings and parties, and partake in the culture as artists and participants, not tourists
Faranah: We stayed in the compound of the late great Fadouba Oulare and his family in Faranah; His sons watched over us with love and affection; and Fadouba’s son Sekouba taught perhaps some of the greatest Djembe classes of all time. This slice of living history gave me happy chills
Bolokada’s wife’s cooking. One word: ‘deeeeelicious!’ No, two words: ‘More, please!’
Dancing with Ibrahima: I see why Ibrahima’s company Ballet Soleil has won many awards! Ibrahima is one of the world’s top dancers; his passion and skills are immediately transferred as he shares Guinea dance with sheer grace, strength, articulation, and power!
There are many more reasons why I'm going to Guinea again, and with Bolokada! As we unite on this journey together, I am happy to share this experience with you!
To learn more about Bolokada's Guinea trip, please reach me or visit www.Trip2Guinea.com
Studying music and dance in Guinea with Bolokada is like
getting a tour of the White House from president Obama himself!
Bolokada is Guinea’s Godfather of Malinke music and folklore! In Guinea, people greeted him like the grand King that he is. In every village, Bolokada put people into a frenzy wherever we traveled! The sheer love and respect that he commands is extended by the oodles to all of his guests.
This December, I’ll be taking my second trip to Guinea with Bolokada!! He invites Djembefolas, Drummers, Performers, Educators, Dancers, Students and Professionals to train live in the Malinke Djembe music that bedazzles our lives. He invites us to learn in the lap of the people who have preserved Guinea’s epic culture and folklore.
Bolokada has organized two trips, in December 2014 and January 2015! We will join his company, family, and friends for the learning intensive that will enthrall you for years and years! We will be studying non-stop with Bolokada – and his electrifying dance partner – Ibrahima Soumah, director for Ballet Soleil D’Afrique! We will be immersing ourselves in the city and village culture; the sounds, senses, activities and conversations of Guinea!
Bolokada is Guinea’s Godfather of Malinke music and folklore! In Guinea, people greeted him like the grand King that he is. In every village, Bolokada put people into a frenzy wherever we traveled! The sheer love and respect that he commands is extended by the oodles to all of his guests.
This December, I’ll be taking my second trip to Guinea with Bolokada!! He invites Djembefolas, Drummers, Performers, Educators, Dancers, Students and Professionals to train live in the Malinke Djembe music that bedazzles our lives. He invites us to learn in the lap of the people who have preserved Guinea’s epic culture and folklore.
Bolokada has organized two trips, in December 2014 and January 2015! We will join his company, family, and friends for the learning intensive that will enthrall you for years and years! We will be studying non-stop with Bolokada – and his electrifying dance partner – Ibrahima Soumah, director for Ballet Soleil D’Afrique! We will be immersing ourselves in the city and village culture; the sounds, senses, activities and conversations of Guinea!
This trip has reached deep into my heart, giving me eternal inspiration.
Some people may ask, ‘well why travel alllll the way to Africa to learn?’… The importance of actually being in Guinea can not be overstated.
Here’s what I loved most about training and touring in
Guinea with Bolokada:
Bolokada’s workshops: We learn right inside Bolokada’s house, which makes each class a very personal and intense experience; As we train with Bolokada, we get to interact with his friends and family, and a number of his special visitors from Koungbana to his star Djembefola brother Fakoli
Working with Bolokada’s company: His band of musicians are just the most brilliant perfectionist and adventure buddies. Between Bolokada and his company, we learn so much about traditional Malinke rhythms and arrangements… They won’t let you slack either; Surrounded by musical excellence, you grow by kicks and strides
Bolokada’s villages: Traveling to Bolokada’s home village
was simply beautiful -- the natural landscape, the clean and spacious huts, and
the village people and escapades are forever in my heart
Live Djembefola ceremonies: Because Bolokada is still a leading Djembefola in the villages of Guinea, we got to participate in real cultural ceremonies, weddings and parties, and partake in the culture as artists and participants, not tourists
Faranah: We stayed in the compound of the late great Fadouba Oulare and his family in Faranah; His sons watched over us with love and affection; and Fadouba’s son Sekouba taught perhaps some of the greatest Djembe classes of all time. This slice of living history gave me happy chills
Bolokada’s wife’s cooking. One word: ‘deeeeelicious!’ No, two words: ‘More, please!’
Dancing with Ibrahima: I see why Ibrahima’s company Ballet Soleil has won many awards! Ibrahima is one of the world’s top dancers; his passion and skills are immediately transferred as he shares Guinea dance with sheer grace, strength, articulation, and power!
There are many more reasons why I'm going to Guinea again, and with Bolokada! As we unite on this journey together, I am happy to share this experience with you!
To learn more about Bolokada's Guinea trip, please reach me or visit www.Trip2Guinea.com
This past
weekend was my first time at Camp Fareta!!
It’s a 6-day drum and dance boot
camp in California, led by the world’s greatest spartans of West African dance & music and our
dear friends, including Youssouf Koumbassa, Aziz Faye, Bolokada Conde, Mbembe
Bangoura, Moustapha Bangoura, Mabiba Baegne, Abdoulaye Sylla, Djeneba Sako, Wadaba Kourouma, Mangue Sylla, Sista
Jewel, and several others.
Me, giving it aaaall to the dance floor and more, during an electric Soko, taught by Moustapha Bangoura of Guinea.
The organizers Youssouf Koumbassa, Christina Tuccillo, and Sarah Lee Parker Mansare, and team, are
simply angles to me and the oodles of people they inspire through this event.
Thank you, thank you, thank you!! This was a priceless experience!! The dance fireworks I learned
were simply the greatest. Right when I think I’ve witnessed the pinnacle of
African Dance & Music, events like this reveal the astronomical depth of
this art and the love the people bring.
The Grandmaster teachers of Camp Fareta!
I am forever transformed, and determined to push my work to uncharted
levels of creativity, power, and expressiveness. In addition to the dance and drum, people and
possibilities is what I love about Camp Fareta!!
The camp gathers together such
a diverse and fierce force of professionals-- dancers, doctors, lawyers, and
drummers, you get an education on many levels and a network of friends who are
so eager to seize the great opportunity that is life itself. I also loved the camp grounds, located in the
mountains an hour outside Fresno California. The shared cabins were delightful;
the showers piping hot; the terrain, hilly and serene; and the crisp air,
beautiful trees and lake -- an antidote to fatigue.
I only spent two days at
Camp Fareta and I am a fan forever. I will go to Camp Fareta forever!! I want
to thank every single person, adult and child, Grand master and student,
organizer and supporter. This is what the world needs, and this is a dancer’s
dream come true.
-- Malena
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