DrumTalk 2009!!


	When: Oct 15-18, 2009 Where: August Wilson Center, Pittsburgh
	What is DrumTalk? Class Schedule Class Instructors Volunteers	Performances Accommodations Getting There/Parking

What is DrumTalk?

DrumTalk World Rhythm Festival is an ongoing series of events to highlight the artistic and community-building power of the drum. DrumTalk brings together highly accomplished drummers from around the world, on stage, teaching classes or both for this International Percussion Festival and other events.

Location: August Wilson Center 980 Liberty Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15222 p:412.258.2700

Tickets information and pricing coming soon!

Schedule of Performances:

Thursday,

October 15

8:00 PM

Giovanni Hidalgo

DRUM FIESTA featuring Giovanni Hidalgo, Glen Velez and DrumTalk facilitators (Elie Kihonia, Marcus Santos, Assane M’Baye, Anicet Mundundu and Jim Donovan)

Giovanni Hidalgo is the most highly sought after conga player on the planet. He has recorded, played and toured with most of the top musicians in the Latin, and jazz realms. His mastery on the congas is unrivaled, and he is in a class by himself. Giovanni Hidalgo is the top conga player in the world today.

His resume in touring and recordings alone is extensive, and includes the top artists including: Patato Valdes, Candido, Alex Acuña, Armando Peraza, Airto Moreira, Tito Puente, Eddie Palmieri, Rebeca Mauleón, Brian Lynch, Arturo Sandoval, Paquito d’ Rivera, Dizzy Gillespie, Kip Hanrahan , Horacio Hernandez, Ignacio Berroa, Hilton Ruiz, Mickey Hart and many others.

Giovanni has an extensive list of instructional videos that cover the whole range of percussion techniques and methods. The Giovanni Hidalgo line of drums from Latin Percussion includes congas, bongos, and djembe, are that companies best and most respected line of products.

Giovanni expresses himself best with the following quote:“I am in synchronization with life, with people, with nature. I try to be a part of all the things people do in the world so my music can give them strength, love, and faith. My gift to others is my love of music, and I will give it until I die.”

Friday,

October 16

8:00 pm

Jim DiSpirito and Marcus Santos

An Evening of Middle Eastern Drumming

This evening’s collaborative, and interactive performance will feature Four-time Grammy Award winning master drummer, composer and educator, Glen Velez. While Glen draws upon the great drumming traditions of the Middle East, South India and the Mediterranean world (ancient and modern), he plays in a style all his own. Utilizing a vast culmination of complex hand and finger techniques, he creates a symphony of sound and texture from just a single hand held drum.

Also performing: Raquy and the Cavemen (featuring: Raquy Danziger, David Kuckerhmann and Liron Peled) in a performance that will present a fusion of various Middle Eastern drumming styles and will be joined on stage by the incredible The Adam Basma Dance Company Middle Eastern Dance Troupe!

Lastly, Japanese Taiko master, Takumi Kato will performance Japanese Taiko highlighting his own unique percussion tradition.
They will also present a collaborative musical presentation in which rhythm will serve as a bridge joining musical boundaries. For the finale, members of the audience will be invited to join for an exciting, interactive performance. Bring your drum and your dancing shoes.

Saturday,

October 17

8:00PM

AfroBrazil Wacongo Dance Company

WACONGO Dance Company & AfroBrazil Bloco

The WACONGO Dance Company is a traditional ensemble of master drummers, musicians and dancers, residents of the Democratic Republic of Congo, who perform the ancestral songs and dances of Central Africa. WACONGO’s artists have extensively toured Europe, Asia and North and South America. In its performances WACONGO explores music from 400 ethnic groups, including Luba, Mongo, Kongo, Mbala, Chokwe, Pende, Kuba, Mbunda and many more.WACONGO’s mission is to inspire and educate audiences about African heritage and culture.

Brazil is the largest population of African people outside Africa. AfroBrazil's goal is to preserve, promote and spread the Afro-Brazilian culture, in all its aspects: music, dance, religion, and culinary arts. The group focus is on the music and dance, thru different music entities: - BatukAxé drum and dance ensemble playing samba reggae and other batucada style grooves. - Banda Jiló playing Forro music from northeastern Brazil. - Aguidá plays Axé music, the most contemporary music style from Salvador. - Mangalô a modern interpretation of traditional Brazilian grooves. The goal in the presentation is to create an atmosphere of full carnival Afro-Brazilian style without you leaving the auditorium.

Sunday,

October 19

Jim Donovan and Roger Humphries

World Music and Jazz Fusion (MATINEE)

DrumTalk 09’s finale concert will feature Jim Donovan and his incredible Drum the Ecstatic Internationa. Jim will be joined on stage by Pittsburgh Jazz Legend, Roger Humphries and his quintet followed by a very special performance by The Marine Corps Drill Band. You will not want to miss this exciting conclusion to the four-day festival.

All interactive performances will be held at August Wilson Center auditorium.

DrumTalk 2009 Class Schedule Coming Soon!

Master Classes on rhythm from around the world by:
	Giovanni Hidalgo Widely acknowledged as one of the greatest congueros of our time, Puerto Rican born LP artist.
	Glen Velez Four-time Grammy Award winning master drummer, composer and educator.
	Elie Kihonia Multi-instrumentalist, Master Drummer and healing circle facilitator
	Jim Donovan Multi-platinum recording artist (former lead of Rusted Root), Drum facilitator
	Takumi Kato International acclaimed taiko master drummer from Japan
	Marcus Santos Master percussionist and Drum ambassador from Bahia - Brazil
	Raquy Danziger One of the most popular teachers and composer of Middle Eastern Drumming today
	Liron Pelod Born in Israel, Liron has been a dominant figure in the Middle-Eastern music scene in the United States as a Percussionist and Composer.
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	Roger Humphries Pittsburgh Jazz legend, bandleader
	Bloco AfroBrazil It’s CARNAVAL TIME!!! AfroBrazil's goal is to preserve, promote and spread the Afro-Brazilian culture, in all its aspects: music, dance, religion, and culinary arts.
	WACONGO Dance Company Travel to beginning of time and music, experience the genesis of music genre…WACONGO Dance Company was founded in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo in 1998 as the major Congolese International Touring Company.
	Moe Jerrant Presenting workshops and drum circles that emphasize stress reduction.
	Assane M’Baye A native of Senegal; comes from a long line of Griot and storytellers; known for his skills and speed on the Djembe, and various other drums including dundun, sabar, sangba, kenkeni and more.
	Dr. Anicet Mundundu Ethno-musicologist from the University of Pittsburgh; a multi-talented instrumentalist, He is the founder and Artistic Director of Jambo African Music Company, a company dedicated in providing authentic African music and its related arts, both in their traditional and contemporary forms.

Getting there/Parking

There are several ways to get to DrumTalk 2009:

1. Park in or near Downtown: The cheapest garages are city-owned. Click here for a list of Downtown city-owned garages.

2. Take the “T” or the bus: The “T” can be boarded anywhere from South Hills Village to Station Square to take you to Wood Street Station, a Downtown stop a few blocks from August Wilson Center. Most buses will get you to Downtown. Check the Port Authority’s “trip planner” web site to plan a route.

3. Take our shuttle: Afrika Yetu will provide a shuttle from nearby locations for Friday, Saturday & Sunday events. Please check this site for updates.
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Accommodations

Good news! There are a number of hotels that are available within walking distance of DrumTalk 2008 events (the Steelers are playing out of town!). Check back for updates on group rates.

· Renaissance Pittsburgh Hotel (above the Byham)

· Marriott SpringHill Suites Pittsburgh North Shore

· Courtyard Marriott Pittsburgh Downtown

· Westin Convention Center Pittsburgh

· Omni William Penn Hotel

· Hilton Pittsburgh

· Doubletree Hotel & Suites

Middle budget accommodations:

·Holiday Inn (all within 10 miles of Downtown)

·Best Western Parkway Center Inn, 875 Greentree Road, Pittsburgh, PA 15220 (www.bestwestern.com)

·Pittsburgh Hampton Inn

Volunteers

Afrika Yetu always appreciates volunteers. They make our work possible. For events, we offer reduced or free admission to volunteers. For events we only need a limited amount of help, so this offer is first come, first serve.

For clerical and other volunteer work with our organization, we may be able to provide college credit or resume-building experience.

Email us about volunteer opportunities.