DANCE FOR JOY 2026
West African Drumming w/ Vado Diomande
Class location: 651 Arts (10 Lafayette Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11217)

Explore the heart of West African musical traditions, rooted in the strong, powerful sounds of the drum. Learn djembe, doundoun, songba and kenkeni, and converse with dancers through the drum — using musical calls, patterns and signals from the lead djembe to move them from one step to the next. Accompaniment lines include Kookoo, Bademalon, Temate, Katana, Bolohi and N'Goron. Led by teaching artist Vado Diomande, lifelong drummer, drum-maker and repairer.

This season's theme is Resilience. Donation-based and culminating in a student performance — pay what you can, $5–$45. Every class, every level.

Thursdays, September 24 – December 3, 2026 | 6–7:30pm
No class November 26
Students are strongly encouraged to bring their own drum.