Wednesday, January 19, 2011

This Sunday at First Church - 10 am

Chase the Winter Blues Away

Get Ready for
West African Dance & Drums


First Church of Christ, Congregational
190 Court Street
Middletown, CT

On January 23, Guinean dance and drum master Aly Tatchol Camara will be with us again at First Church. Aly is a native of the West African country of Guinea and principal dance instructor for the New Haven School of African Dance and Drumming at Yale University. A choreographer, as well as a dancer and drummer, Aly will tell us more about the role of music and dance in his Guinean community, and entertain and enliven us with drumbeat and dance.

Aly is considered a master drummer, dancer, and choreographer, and his New Haven-based dance company, the Kouffin Kanèckè Company, performs frequently at various venues at Yale as well as the renowned Shubert Theater in New Haven.

The First Church African Drumming Ensemble was initiated in 2004 and provides occasional up-beat inspiration before, after, and during worship. The group focuses on rhythms from Aly's native Guinea. Aly's son, also a skilled drummer, will perform again this year with the church drum circle.

Aly's past visits have featured drums, dancing, and a virtual frenzy of energy at front and center in our Parish Hall, and many members of the congregation joined in to dance and follow as Aly demonstrated his simple but vigorous movements. Just watching it quickens your pulse!

So get ready. Come join us and chase away the winter blues. For additional information on the New Haven School of African Dance and Drumming, contact Aly at alytatcholcamara@comcast.net. The school is based at the Afro-American Cultural Center, Yale University, 211 Park Street, in New Haven.


Child care is provided; and parking is available on Court Street and in the surrounding neighborhood.

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