Although the coronavirus likely prevents us from presenting Music Beyond Borders this summer, we thought you might enjoy revisiting some of the wonderful moments from past performances.
For 10 years, Music Beyond Borders, a collaboration between Morris Arts and Mayo Performing Arts Center has offered this summer series of free outdoor programs of world music and dance….bringing a taste of cultures from six continents to summer lunchtimes on the Morristown Green.
So, let’s take a trip down memory lane and sample some of the past delights of Music Beyond Borders – with the West frican Dance, Drumming and Tap Dancing by Feraba, which performed June 25, 2013.
Djembe drummer Ibrahima Kolipe Camara accompanies virtuoso African dancer, Ismael Bonfils Kouyate:
And here, Ibrahima’s drumming entrances a little boy and Ishmael’s call and response singer engages the larger audience:
FÉRABA brought West African dance, drumming and tap dancing to Morristown Green
West African drumming and dance meet tap dancing. This unique, award-winning multicultural and multiethnic performance group fuses the traditional sounds and movements of West Africa with the American artistic forms of tap dance and jazz in unique and exciting ways. With performances at Lincoln Center, Town Hall and throughout the world, Feraba explores the universal language of rhythm and its ability to promote tolerance and cultural understanding. www.feraba.com/
Undeterred by the heat and humidity, over 270 people came to the Morristown Green to enjoy launch of the 2013 season of Music Beyond Borders – featuring Féraba, whose exciting West African dance, drumming and tap dancing enthralled young and old.
The program inspired wonderful audience interactions, complete with competitions between Tap dancer/Artistic Director Irene Koloseus and djembe drummer Ibrahima Kolipe Camara, call and response singing with the audience and singers Ibrahima Kolipe Camara and Ismael Bonfils Kouyate, electrifying African dancing by Ismael, blinding footwork by tap dancer Irene, drumming contests between Ibrahima. Matthew and Ismael, and audience participation in percussion rhythms, singing and African dancing! Everyone present was smiling, clapping, singing and moving to the music! Our thanks to the wonderful artists of Féraba for launching our Music Beyond Borders season with such flair!
Here are some PHOTOS of the performance by Féraba:
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- Matthew Hill, Irene Koloseus, Ismael Bonfils Kouyate, Ibrahima Kolipe Camara
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- Ismael leads call and response
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- Ibrahima demonstrates balaphon (African xylophone)
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- The McDonald family checks out African drums
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- African rattles and percussion instruments
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- Ibrahima leads call and response
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- audience participation
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- entranced audience
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- drummers Ibrahima Kolipe Camara and Matthew Hill
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- Ismael sings with audience
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- Ibrahima and Ismael in drumming contest
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- Feraba performing
Here are some additional VIDEOS from their performance:
To see African dancing by Ismael and Irene – in unison, click HERE.
To see the rhythm competition between Ibrahima’s drumming and Irene’s tap dancing, click HERE.
Click HERE to see how whole audience got involved with the joy of singing and dancing responsively.