African Dance Lecture/Demonstration Event at Old First Church, Springfield MA. (May 7, 2009)

Sankofa Youth Reach in collaboration with the Greater Springfield/UMass Amherst Partnership and The Springfield Public School System presented an event celebrating African Dance and community.

Marilyn and Sekou Sylla from the Bambadale Dancers and Drummers, who worked with Central High School students in March, spoke about and demonstrated African Dance moves with the help of students from UMass Amherst.  Their interactive program included songs of welcome and freedom, authentic costumes, and explanations of an assortment of traditional rhythm instruments.  They invited many of the over 350 Springfield Elementary and Middle School students to join them on stage and participate in the dancing and drumming.  World renown African Dance Master and 2009 Sankofa Master Artist, CHUCK DAVIS also worked with the students and their teachers closing the event with all the adults on stage dancing for the students.