Drum Power Africa Night 2016 Student Drumming Showcase will take place Friday, May 20, 6 p.m. at Mills Concert Hall, UW-Madison Humanities Building 455 North Park Street
Drum Power will present the 6th Annual Africa Night performance featuring Drum Power students city-wide ranging from 3rd to 9th grade. Students develop musical and life skills including leadership, respect for self and others, and the rewards of hard but fun work. The program is directed by Yorel Lashley and will feature students from Madison Metropolitan Schools including Lowell and Lincoln Elementary Schools and Advanced drummers from O’Keefe Middle School and East High School.
The event, which is free for the families of performers with suggested donations of $10 for adults and $5 for children, will raise funds to support scholarships to the Drum & Dance Camp this summer (July 18-August 4). The performance will also feature professional guest artists from the Handphibians.
This year’s show will be extraordinary featuring 100 Drum Power students from the Madison Metropolitan School District. Together they will show the full scope and power of the traditions that the students are learning and continuing here in Madison. Through the youth performers and Master drummers, the cultural depth, musical power and intricacy of the Djembe, and Samba traditions will be on display for all to enjoy and inspiration will abound.