DRUM UNITY! Benefit concert for Abdoulaye Diakite with Antioquia and Leon Mobley & Da Lio

DRUM UNITY!
A night of rhythm, dance and generosity in support of Abdoulaye Diakite

Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center
Doors at 8:30 pm; Show at 9:30 pm
Drummm Workshop at 9:00 pm
$10-$30 sliding scale

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http://www.ticketweb.com/t3/sale/SaleEventDetail?dispatch=loadSelectionData&eventId=924484

You are invited to open your hearts (and your wallets) in an evening of diverse music and entertainment to raise money for Senegalese master drummer Abdoulaye Diakite, who was hospitalized on October 28 with carbon monoxide poisoning and is currently battling a variety of challenges related to his healing process. The performers at this benefit concert are close friends, associates, and longtime admirers of Diakite. One of Diakite’s first students in the U.S., Leon Mobley (now with Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals), brings his band Da Lion from Los Angeles, joining locals Antióquia in making the dance floor shake and quake. The evening begins with a hands-on drum workshop facilitated by Drummm, and showgoers will be treated to a West African drum & dance performance as well as live painting during Antióquia’s set (the finished work of art will be auctioned off as part of a silent auction).

Devoting his youth in Senegal to studying drumming, Abdoulaye Diakite became a master djembefola (djembe drummer) and spent 18 years, beginning in 1966, as the lead drum soloist touring the world in the Ballet National du Senegal. After their final world tour, Diakite relocated to Oakland and has since taught and inspired generations of drummers and African music lovers. Teaching the culture, history, and philosophy of what was originally called “Jebe Bara” or “Unity Drum,” he has always stressed that students play with an open heart, welcoming all people to experience the healing powers of the djembe. He also started a drum and dance camp, co-founded the performance troupe Ceedo, and co-founded the recording label Rootsy Records, which has released six full albums of his music. As generous as he has been with his music and culture, Diakite scarcely had enough finances to support himself and his large extended family back home in Africa, and now needs support from the community of which he has given so much of himself to aid him through this extraordinary challenge.