Gahu, eh! A Distinctly Canadian Presentation of Ghanaian Drumming, Singing and Dance

Friday November 23, 2012 at 8pm
Kailash Mitel Theatre, Carleton University
Tickets $20 Adults, $10 Students and Seniors

Poster

Featuring Carleton University Music Department’s West African Rhythm Ensemble and the Baobab Youth Performers, both under the direction of Kathy Armstrong.  This performance is the culmination of an artist residency program featuring the vibrant and magnetic performance of Ghanaian musician and dancer Nani Agbeli.

Nani Agbeli is an engaging and talented drummer and dancer from the Volta Region of Ghana.  He is the son of the late master drummer Godwin Agbeli, who trained him in his art form from a young age. Nani led many performances and workshops in Ghana before moving to the USA. He currently lives in Boston where he teaches and performs at Berklee College of Music and Tufts University.

“Great dancers and drummers are not great because of their technique,” explains Agbeli. “They are great because of their passion. Music and dance: food of my soul.”

The performance will involve over 50 drummers and dancers who will combine forces for the feature pieces Tokwoe and Gahu, both rich textures of sounds and sights, and a reflection on the power of community.

This artist in residence program is a joint educational project between Baobab Community and Carleton University, with a generous donation by recent Carleton Music Graduate, Julia Walmsley.

Kathy Armstrong describes the importance of a project like this:

“Relationship is everything in this music. Between the different elements of dance, song and drumming and the interaction of all those involved. This multi-age project involves elements of mentoring, the donation of seed money from a recent Carleton music graduate, and the pursuit of artistic excellence through intercultural learning.  This is what education is all about.”

Watch a short video segment of the Carleton West African Ensemble
(Videographer Chris Thompson)

For more information or to purchase tickets please contact:

Baobab Community          Carleton University Dept. of Music
www.baobabtree.org         www.carleton.ca/music
(613)729-0987                      (613)520-5770