3:00pm | Drummers from across Long Beach will gather to experience the world-class beats of female percussion group Adaawe for an evening of community drumming, fire dancing, soul food, and a celebration of peace. The Arts Council for Long Beach and the Catalyst Network of Communities have partnered together to host “Peace & Rhythm” on Saturday, November 5, 2011 from 4:00pm – 7:00pm at The Promenade Park in downtown Long Beach.
As the featured performers of the event, Adaawe is a dynamic group of seven diverse women who create rich organic music with the voice and drum. In the Adaawe tradition of Ghana, West Africa, women gather in the moonlight to create music and songs about life’s joy and sorrows. Adaawe brings audiences to their feet with high energy djembe drumming and poetic lyrics. The group has opened for known musicians including James Brown, Los Lobos, Spearhead, James Ingram, Harry Belafonte, Sugar Hill Gang, Yolanda Adams and many others.
The event will also include the tribal fusion bellydance of Sirena Serpentina. The troupe’s signature sensual fire-dancing performances are regularly anticipated at community events across Long Beach and Southern California. Along with a community drum circle, a peace blessing will be extended by Peace Mother Geeta Sacred Song, an international Mayan peace shaman. Attendees are encouraged to bring their blankets, chairs, and drums to participate in the drum circle.
“The persistent rhythm of the drum has a way of drawing people together for community,” said Catalyst founder Eric Leocadio. “This will be a great way to gather people in a celebration and call for peace in our city,” he said.
The Arts Council for Long Beach received a grant from Los Angeles County Arts Commission, as part of the Free Concerts and Public Sites program, to bring Adaawe to Long Beach. John Glaza, Interim Executive Director for the Arts Council for Long Beach said, “This free public concert is an excellent example of the importance of community collaboration and partnership. The Arts Council for Long Beach, Catalyst, as well as others in the community have joined together to facilitate this event for our residents and we hope it is enjoyed by all.”
Community partners include Shift Long Beach, Long Beach Time Exchange, Sacred Peace Center, Long Beach Depot for Creative Reuse and Tinderbox.
