LARA GONZALEZ and YAEL SHACHAM, Founders and Creative Directors.
Stateside collaborators include multi-instrumentalists Lisa Gonzalez-Howell and Nana Simopoulis, tap dancer Stefanie Weber, keys/vocals Victor Burks, percussionist David Freeman, chanteuse Jennifer Starr, saxes/flutes Erik Lawrence.
INSTRUMENTATION INCLUDES:
djembe, doundoun, songban, kenkeni, krin, gongoma, shekere, balafon, voice, saxes/flutes, keys, bizouki, sitar, tabla and tap shoes.
ALL OUR FRIENDS & TEACHERS FROM GUINEA, CONAKRY INCLUDING:
M'Bemba Bangoura, Les Ballets Africains (artists past & present), Sory Bangoura & Les Etoiles de Boulbinet, Wamali Percussione de Guinea, Sorel Dioubate & Groupe de Sorel, Merveilles de Guinee, Les Amazones de Guinea and more . . . including the faces & places in the slide show below -
HIGHLIGHTS FROM GUINEA, WEST AFRICA
all photos by Marinda Snow, copyright 2008-09
MORE INFLUENCES:
Barack Obama, Babatunde Olatunji, Sanga Of-The-Valley, Madeleine Yayodele Nelson
& Women of the Calabash, Karen Love & Umoja Dance Co.,
Youssou N'Dour, Oumou Sangare, Salif Keita, Sekouba Bambino
Lama Sidibe, Ibro Dioubate, P. Wada
Ani Di Franco, Billie Holiday, Dean Bowman & Screaming Headless Torsos
Kenny Wolleson, Marlon Browden, Jim Black, Susie Ibarra, Run DMC,
Beastie Boys . . . .
With big hearts and open minds, international artists, Lara Gonzalez and Yael Shacham, fell in love with West Africa. As Marafanyi's Founders and Artistic Directors the ladies present an artistic expression that fuses original songs and spoken word with traditional West African rhythm and dance showcasing indigenous instruments. They travel frequently to Guinea to focus on the dynamic and lyrical music & dance from a variety of ethnic groups.
As teaching, performing and recording artists, the Marafanyi ladies strive to make accessible the therapeutic, empowering and educational benefits of the music and cultures of West Africa to all ages, populations and the community at large. Their performances and classes have delivered the electrifying and danceable rhythms and mystique of the music of West Africa to a variety of audiences.
Together these pioneering ladies present an artistic expression combining rhythm, movement, song and spoken word in poetic motion.
They are determined to change the world beat by beat!
As headliners they have performed in a variety of venues from intimate house concerts to multi-media performance art events. They enjoy frequent television and radio appearances.
As an opening act they have supported musicians from all genres including -
WORLD (Angélique Kidjo),
FOLK (Odetta),
JAZZ (Perry Robinson),
SPOKEN WORD (Carl Hancock Rux)
ROCK (Hamell on Trial), and
METAPHYSICAL (Ram Dass).
Marafanyi Drum, Dance & Song is available for performances, workshops & residencies for all ages & populations, professional development, corporate team building, dance accompaniment, benefits,recording sessions, gallery openings, private parties, house concerts, weddings, corporate events, conferences, special gatherings and more! Marafanyi is tapped into a variety of other unique artists that make for an eclectic co-bill.
BOOKING INFO
CALL 877 . 904 . 2362 or EMAIL RootsHeartPulse@ureach.com
Marafanyi Drum, Dance & Song's Friend Space (Top 24)
Can you ladies come to the Lichenstein Center for the Arts in Pittsfield tomorrow night between 5 and 7?!? BAA Fellowship exhibit opening and we could rendevous after in North Adams? Heart. M
Hey ladies-I am showing a Painting in an Exhibit titled: BLUE by the Cambridge Art Association and juried by Jen Mergel of the Institute of Contempoaray Art Boston--would love to see you at the opening-University Place Gallery-- Harvard Square, Mount Auburn street--Nov.21st 6 to 8 pm.
WE HAVE FINALLY COMPLETED FOUR ALBUMS FOR OUR FOUNDATION TO HELP THE NEW ORLEANS MUSICIANS IN NEED FEATURING LOUIE BELLSON, PRESERVATION HALL JAZZ BAND, EARL PALMER, LEVON HELM, DR. LONNIE SMITH, JIMMY COBB, CHUCK E. WEISS, JAVON JACKSON, CLEM BURKE, LARRY CAMPBELL, AIRTO MOREIRA, COUGAR & RUBEN ESTRADA, WASHBOARD CHAZ, MIKE WATT, SOUHAIL KASPAR, STEVE JORDAN, DANNY 'KOOTCH' KORTCHMAR, JOHN BOUDREAUX, JAMES GADSON, TANMOY BOSE, CLIVE BUNKER, HUBERT SUMLIN, PETER ERSKINE, PETE LOCKETT, SANTA DAVIS, JOHNNY VIDACOVICH, SAM CARR, KEITH CARLOCK, STANTON MOORE, SOUHAIL KASPAR, AFRICAN MUSICIANS, NATIVE AMERICAN TRIBES, GOSPEL CHOIRS, CLASSICAL ENSEMBLES, TAP DANCING, LATIN ENSEMBLES, MARDI GRASS INDIANS, STREET MUSICIANS, ETC. . . Currently looking for the right record company to release these wonderful gems. Please, help us support thee cradle of modern music!!! Regards, Fabian Jolivet
when i saw "capital region" i thought you meant the capital district of NY! come to Albany, please! ever since i left NJ I've been sad I can't catch you!!
My Dearest Sisters! why don't cha bring the whole band and come join me on my new FM spot on Saturday nights....from 7:30 till 10 on WXLV. ORG ? It's a fast paced three hours with the usuall Rough Draft Freeform Radio stuff.....bootlege (thanks Mud) and live performances....they have a 32 track board and we'll spin some tunes and you might be moved to pick and sing a few for your old radio pal....so what cha say Ladies?.....let me know and the night is yours and the listeners will dig it ! See ya soon I hope your old pal, Ralph Rough Draft Freeform Radio Program Saturday nights from 7 till 10 on WWW. WXLV. ORG and Monday Nights on WWW. HOMEGROWNRADIONJ. ORG from 9:30 till midnight
