myspace music

Marafanyi Drum, Dance & Song
Other / Afro-beat / Acoustic

(MAH-RAH-FAHN-YEE) means LOVE in SOUSOU



NY / NJ / MA / Guinea, West Africa and Beyond, New York
United States

Profile Views:  28530




Last Login:  11/23/2009
View My: Pics | Videos | Playlists

   Contacting Marafanyi Drum, Dance & Song

 MySpace URL: 

   Marafanyi Drum, Dance & Song: General Info
Member Since4/11/2006
Band Websitewww.Marafanyi.com
Band MembersLARA 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.

Marafanyi LIVE! 09

Marafanyi Drum, Dance & Song | MySpace Video




InfluencesALL 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 . . . .
Sounds LikeNOTHING YOU HAVE HEARD RECENTLY!
Record LabelUnsigned


Get Flash now!

In order to listen or view this content you will have to upgrade your version of Flash.



   Upcoming Shows ( view all )
Dec 4 2009 7:00P
MARAFANYI LIVE! Sunpower Afrique: Benefit for Solar Energy in Togo Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania
Dec 5 2009 1:00P
WEST AFRICAN DRUM, DANCE & SONG for Children, New School of Music Cambridge, Massachusetts
Dec 12 2009 11:15A
COMMUNITY WEST AFRICAN DANCE & DRUM, Frog Lotus Yoga North Adams, Massachusetts
Dec 19 2009 11:15A
COMMUNITY WEST AFRICAN DANCE & DRUM, Frog Lotus Yoga North Adams, Massachusetts
Jan 9 2010 11:15A
COMMUNITY WEST AFRICAN DANCE & DRUM, Frog Lotus Yoga North Adams, Massachusetts
Jan 16 2010 11:15A
COMMUNITY WEST AFRICAN DANCE & DRUM, Frog Lotus Yoga North Adams, Massachusetts

Marafanyi Drum, Dance & Song's Latest Blog Entry  [Subscribe to this Blog]

Michael Jackson - Billie Jean (1983) [Motown 25 Live]  (view more)

WOW WOW WOW WAE CENTER  (view more)

MARAFANYI MERCI BEAUCOUP 2007  (view more)

NORTH ADAMS OPEN STUDIOS ’07 A GRAND SUCCESS!  (view more)

SO MUCH 2 SAY ABOUT SOPAC  (view more)

[View All Blog Entries]

   About Marafanyi Drum, Dance & Song

MySpace Layouts
Myspace Layouts - Myspace Editor - Image Hosting

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)
Marafanyi Drum, Dance & Song has 1313 friends.
 Barack Obama 


 EVOLVE Music and Yoga Festival 


 mamady 


 Les Espoirs de Coronthie 


 Sekouba Bambino 


 BA CISSOKO 


 Sylvain Leroux 


 Source w/ Abdoulaye Diabate 


 Musiques d'Afrique 


 Perry Robinson 


 johnny buckoloots 


 David Freeman 


 claire daly 


 Hamell On Trial 


 John Kruth "Splitsville" 


 Ani DiFranco 


 Toni Catlin 


 Angelique Kidjo 


 Official Crystal Glass Site 


 Stefanie Weber/Creatures of Habitat 


 Jen Starr 


 Ram Dass 


 PeaceFrog 


 MASS MoCA 





Marafanyi Drum, Dance & Song's Friends Comments
Displaying 25 of 170 comments  ( View All | Add Comment )
Véro ka slapé...

Véro ka slapé...



Oct 17 2009 11:57 PM

Hey ! Un jour viendra peut-être ou les forces de la nature protègeront les visionnaires et défenseurs de l'humanité... Petit hommage à Thomas Sankara, l'homme intègre...
Viens écouter SANKARA et donnes ta pensée..Kyembé red epi a ondot soley !... Véro.

Fulgence bientôt un

Fulgence bientôt un



Sep 29 2009 3:35 PM

Merci pour tout , tes passages , tes mots , ton soutien et ta présence , que dieu veille sur toi comme le soleil qui ce lève au pays , bénédictions et succès sur ton chemin.... www.youtube.com/f02091975 Fulgence
Malick Pathé Sow

Malick Pathé Sow



Jul 12 2009 4:01 PM

Thank you for your friendship.
Merci pour ton amitié.

Jam e kisal Yo won e mon.

On Jaraama

Malick

New CD "Maayo Men"

Satya

Satya



Apr 21 2009 2:10 AM

Hi, Ladies! Happy Spring! Love, Satya
Miguel fenton

Miguel Martinez Fenton



Mar 14 2009 7:06 AM

Hola simpatica!!!
Merritt Fletcher

Merritt Fletcher



Mar 9 2009 11:09 PM

Hi Beautiful Marifanyis,

I have art for the chic lovely in the dragonfly dress. Let's get together soon! Heart.
Nicole

Nicole



Mar 7 2009 1:23 AM

Looking forward to your workshop at Frog Lotus Yoga!
Mory Fofana

Mory Fofana



Jan 26 2009 9:18 PM

arabakhidi.lara.happy new year. is mory how is your dance classe.bonne anne.
Swampadelica

Swampadelica



Mar 4 2009 3:16 AM

hey lara... come say hello on march 14th if you're around. blairstown theatre... swampadelica and todd sheaffer.
cheers, damian
Dino

Dino



Dec 24 2008 9:21 PM

Hope you have a merry christmas and a happy new year.
Merritt Fletcher

Merritt Fletcher



Nov 5 2008 8:01 AM

OMG! OBAMA!!! I love you! Heart M
SOUL SUGAR

SOUL SUGAR



Nov 4 2008 6:09 PM

go O b a m a !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The Congo Square Project Foundation

The Congo Square Project Foundation



Oct 28 2008 10:51 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
sher

sher



Oct 30 2008 6:18 PM

Happy Halloween!
cheers
sher
Randy

Randy



Sep 23 2008 9:49 PM

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!!
Nikos Piperis

Nikos Piperis



Sep 15 2008 9:54 PM

Thank you Marafanyi Percussion for the add-on, your songs are wonderful !!!
I invite you if you have time to listen to my guitar pieces.

Wish you all the best
Nikos Piperis
ROUGH DRAFTcause we ALL are works in progress

Rough Draft Freeform Radio Program Saturday nights  t'till pm on ww.wxlv . fm and monday night : 'till midnight on ww.Hgrnj.org



Aug 21 2008 5:51 AM

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
Citizen-003

Citizen-003



Jul 1 2008 5:29 PM

my 4 year old loves funga!
do you have a recording you can post?
Merritt Fletcher

Merritt Fletcher



Jun 20 2008 4:46 PM

Lara & Yael!!!
Showing paintings at IO Gallery Main Street in Nama. Opening Sat. June 21. Would love to see you soon! Heart.
Give the Hand Drummer Some!

Matthew Kissil



May 26 2008 10:51 PM

Hiya hope all is well and your weekend was rockin!!!
DeAngela Napier Photography

DeAngela Napier Photography



May 26 2008 1:18 AM

Hi Yael. Just thinking about ya and wanted to say hello.
delpi Barry

Delpi Barry



May 10 2008 11:23 AM

HOPE U HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!
Gaia Roots

Gaia Roots



Apr 14 2008 3:43 AM

Thanks for thinking of the Roots ladies! We so appreciate the beautiful flowers and card~hope to catch up with you soon!
Shaun L.

Shaun Laframboise



Apr 5 2008 10:56 PM

great photos and great site!
Victor Démé

Victor Démé



Apr 3 2008 11:03 AM

Hello Marafanyi Percussion

Chapa Blues present
VICTOR DEME

After a 30-year career in Burkina Faso, the Mandingo singer finally releases his first album

Après 30 ans de carrière au Burkina Faso, le chanteur mandingue sort enfin son premier album

OUT 25th OF MARCH
SORTIE LE 25 MARS

You can check it on http://www.makasound.com

Merci pour le soutient
Thanks for the support

One Love
Victor
Add Comment


©2003-2009 MySpace.com. All Rights Reserved.