African Masters Series

Two weekends of music and dance events celebrating the contemporary expression of today's African artists. For information on classes and performances call Kuumba Dance and Drum / Operation Unite at
518- 828-3612.

Scroll below for a complete schedule.

Events and workshops take place at:

Hudson Opera House, 327 Warren Street, Hudson
PARC Foundation Park, across from Hudson Opera House
OurHudson Barge, Henry Hudson Riverfront Park, Hudson
Hudson Youth Center, 18 South Third Street, Hudson
John L. Edwards Elementary School, 360 State Street, Hudson

Photo Exhibition
Africa: A Journey of the Soul and Spirit
Thalia Cunningham
Hudson Opera House

Saturday, October 8 through October 30
Gallery Hours: Monday through Friday 12:00 - 5:00 p.m.
Reception with the artist is on Saturday, October 22, 5:00 - 7:00 p.m.

J. Thalia Cunningham, MD, FACEP, is an emergency physician, travel writer, photographer and playwright. Cunningham has traveled to 115 of the "official" destinations of the Traveler's Century Club, an international organization for people who have visited at least 100 countries. Cunningham's predilection for spending time with insurgents - both in the emergency department and abroad - has proffered continuous opportunities to enter intimate worlds and thoughts of a diverse array of the human race. Her first-hand knowledge of people in crisis situations influences her work as both writer and photographer, allowing her to explore and confront some of society's most painful issues and to serve as catalyst for further reflection and discussion. Read more

West African Drum Instruction
M'Bemba Bangoura
Hudson Youth Center Gym

Saturday, October 8, 11:00 a.m.

M’Bemba Bangoura has traveled throughout the world as a performer and teacher of African drum and dance and is revered worldwide for his high level of mastery. As a native of Guinea, West Africa, M’Bemba began drumming at a very young age. By the age of 21, he was acclaimed as a master drummer and was invited to play for Ballet Djoliba, the most respected ballet company in Guinea at that time. Since moving to the US in 1992, M’Bemba has been an integral part of most major drum and dance conferences nationwide. He has taught hundreds of students, many of who are now teachers themselves. In addition, he has personally created choreography and developed repertoire for dozens of dance companies in New York City and abroad. M’Bemba is one of the foremost ambassadors for Guinean drum and dance

$15 per person each class, Seniors (age 65 and older), College ID, & Youth $8. Participants should bring their own drum. A limited amount of drums will be available for rent at $5 per class. For pre-class registration via credit card, call HOH at 518-822-1438. Walk-ins are welcome, however, registration is encouraged as space is limited and pre-paid registered students will have preference.

Djembe Dance - Beginners
Youssouf Koumbassa
Hudson Youth Center Gym

Saturday, October 8, 12:30 p.m.

Youssouf Koumbassa is a former artist of Ballet Djoliba, the National Ballet of Guinea. Born and raised in Guinea, West Africa, Youssouf began dancing at the age of six by studying and emulating the members of the National Ballet and the leading dancers of the many local and regional dance companies in Guinea. Youssouf's father is from the Landuma people and his mother from the Baga/Susu people. In Guinea he studied under Sekouba Camara, Artistic director of Ballet National Djoliba and also with Kemoko Sano, the acclaimed Artistic Director of Les Ballets Africains, developing his talents as a dancer, musician and choreographer.

$15 per person each class, Seniors (age 65 and older), College ID, & Youth $8. Dance attire, comfortable clothing, no jeans, bare feet or inside shoes expected. For pre-class registration via credit card, call HOH at 518-822-1438. Walk-ins are welcome, however, registration is encouraged as space is limited and pre-paid registered students will have preference.

West African Dance Instruction
M'Bemba Bangoura
Hudson Youth Center Gym

Saturday, October 8, 2:00 p.m.

M’Bemba Bangoura has traveled throughout the world as a performer and teacher of African drum and dance and is revered worldwide for his high level of mastery. As a native of Guinea, West Africa, M’Bemba began drumming at a very young age. By the age of 21, he was acclaimed as a master drummer and was invited to play for Ballet Djoliba, the most respected ballet company in Guinea at that time. Since moving to the US in 1992, M’Bemba has been an integral part of most major drum and dance conferences nationwide. He has taught hundreds of students, many of who are now teachers themselves. In addition, he has personally created choreography and developed repertoire for dozens of dance companies in New York City and abroad. M’Bemba is one of the foremost ambassadors for Guinean drum and dance

$15 per person each class, Seniors (age 65 and older), College ID, & Youth $8. Dance attire, comfortable clothing, no jeans, bare feet or inside shoes expected. For pre-class registration via credit card, call HOH at 518-822-1438. Walk-ins are welcome, however, registration is encouraged as space is limited and pre-paid registered students will have preference.

Doundoun Drum Instruction
Mangue Sylla
Hudson Youth Center, 1st Floor

Saturday, October 8, 2:00 p.m.

Mangue Sylla of Les Merveille de Guinea. Mangue is an internationally renowned drummer who began his drumming career at the age of seven by playing the Sangban. Mangue studied with the world's most accomplished drummers including Lamine Bayo, Kanda and Numudi. In 1993, Mangue joined the famed company Les Merveille de Guinea under the leadership of Kemoko Sano and Mangue continues to travel throughout the world with Merveille. Mangue teaches Djembe, Sangban and Dun Dun.

$15 per person each class, Seniors (age 65 and older), College ID, & Youth $8. Participants should bring their own drum. A limited amount of drums will be available for rent at $5 per class. For pre-class registration via credit card, call HOH at 518-822-1438. Walk-ins are welcome, however, registration is encouraged as space is limited and pre-paid registered students will have preference.

Kuumba Drum Circle
Wayne White
PARC Foundation Park across from HOH

Saturday, October 8, 3:00 p.m.

Kuumba Dance and Drum is a performing arts program of Operation Unite, which is composed of community dancers and drummers who come together to share and preserve the rich history and knowledge of music and dance of African origin. Company members reside in Albany, Claverack, Hudson, Schenectady, Troy and West Sand Lake. Elena Mosley is the Artistic Director and founder of Kuumba. The Kuumba Drum Circle will take place in the PARC Foundation Park across from HOH, in case of rain, the drum circle will take place at HOH.

Free, participants should bring their own drum. A limited amount of drums will be available for rent at $5 per class.

Djembe Dance Intermediate
Youssouf Koumbassa
Hudson Youth Center Gym

Saturday, October 8, 3:30 p.m.

Youssouf Koumbassa is a former artist of Ballet Djoliba, the National Ballet of Guinea. Born and raised in Guinea, West Africa, Youssouf began dancing at the age of six by studying and emulating the members of the National Ballet and the leading dancers of the many local and regional dance companies in Guinea. Youssouf's father is from the Landuma people and his mother from the Baga/Susu people. In Guinea he studied under Sekouba Camara, Artistic director of Ballet National Djoliba and also with Kemoko Sano, the acclaimed Artistic Director of Les Ballets Africains, developing his talents as a dancer, musician and choreographer.

$15 per person each class, Seniors (age 65 and older), College ID, & Youth $8. Dance attire, comfortable clothing, no jeans, bare feet or inside shoes expected. For pre-class registration via credit card, call HOH at 518-822-1438. Walk-ins are welcome, however, registration is encouraged as space is limited and pre-paid registered students will have preference.

Middle Eastern Dance
Aszmara Sherry
Hudson Youth Center Gym

Saturday, October 8, 4:30 p.m.

Taarab from Zanzibar is a beautiful joining of music from East African, Sub-Saharan Africa, North Africa, Middle East and Europe.  The name Taarab is Arabic for having joy with music and we will have joy using this music with traditional and non-traditional Belly Dance movements exploring our connections of African Influence.

Aszmara performs and teaches workshops regulary in the USA and Europe. Throughout her over three decade career as a teacher and performer, Aszmara's performances range from pure cabaret entertainment to full concert stage creating themed concert events as well as folkloric and innovative dances. Aszmara, a teacher of teachers, fiery performer and a master at her craft, has vast knowledge and experience in technical as well as performance skills.  Her passionate connection to the music and her informed teaching are truly unforgettable with an electric excitement of music and dance created in the space.

$15 per person each class, Seniors (age 65 and older), College ID, & Youth $8. Dance attire, comfortable clothing, no jeans, bare feet or inside shoes expected. For pre-class registration via credit card, call HOH at 518-822-1438. Walk-ins are welcome, however, registration is encouraged as space is limited and pre-paid registered students will have preference.

African Masters Concert
Aszmara Sherry

Kon Koura Guinea
John L. Edwards Elementary School

Saturday, October 8, 7:30 p.m.

"Dance is emotion in motion" describes accurately the quality of Aszmara’s dance. She is one of New York’s best interpreters of the ethnic dance. She impresses through her expressive stage presence and interprets the music with her own blend of modern and ethnic Arab and Turkish dance. The New York Times describes her dance as "intense".

Mangue Sylla of Les Merveille de Guinea. Mangue is an internationally renowned drummer who began his drumming career at the age of seven by playing the Sangban. In 1993, Mangue joined the famed company Les Merveille de Guinea under the leadership of Kemoko Sano and Mangue continues to travel throughout the world with Merveille.

Concert Fees:  $10 per person, Seniors (age 65 +), College ID $8, Youth K-12 grade $5
Family Specials: 1 adult and 2 youth $15 or 2 adults and 2 children $25.

Harambee Dance Company

African Drum Class
with Frank Maloy
OurHudson Barge, Henry Hudson Riverfront Park

African Dance Class
with Sandella Maloy
OurHudson Barge, Henry Hudson Riverfront Park

African Masters Concert
with Harambee Dance Company

OurHudson Barge, Henry Hudson Riverfront Park

Theatre Motus:
Baobab
Taconic Hills Performing Arts Center

Friday, October 21, 8:00 p.m.

Enchanting visuals meet foot-stomping percussion in this theatrical adaptation of a West African legend, from Quebec's Theatre Motus and Mali's SO Company. Baobab is about a village plagued by drought and a magical child who summons the courage to save his community. The performance blends African music with puppetry, drumming, song and shadow theater. Recommended for ages 4 & up.

Performance takes place at the Taconic Hills Performing Arts Center, located at intersection of NY Route 23 and County Route 11A, 4 miles east of the Taconic Parkway. $15 adults, $10 youth

Diata Diata International Folkloric Theatre Company

Dances of the Congo Workshop
with Pam Badila
Hudson Opera House

Live Art & Exhibition
with Elombe Badila
Hudson Opera House

Stories from Around the World
Len Cabral
Hudson Opera House

Saturday, October 22, 2:00 p.m.

A free family storytelling performance with National Storytelling Network’s Circle of Excellence award-winning storyteller and author Len Cabral. A magical performance using poetry, song, movement and humor to bring out the child in everyone. Len Cabral gives new life to old stories from his Cape Verdean heritage, personal stories, and folk tales from around the world.  So bring the kids and come sit for a spell and listen to stories being told by an east coast raconteur.

Len Cabral is an internationally known storyteller and published author of children's books. Published credits of Len Cabral include LA Cinturita De Anansi: Cuento Tradicional Africano, Anansi's Narrow Waist: An African Folk Tale. Free.

Traditional Dances of India
Sonal Bhatt
Hudson Opera House

Saturday, October 22, 4:00 youth workshop

Enjoy classical dance from India with Sonal Bhatt performing Bharatanatyam, an ancient dance form rich with intricate movement and expression. Free.

Photo Exhibition Reception
Africa: A Journey of the Soul and Spirit
Thalia Cunningham
Hudson Opera House

Reception with the artist is on Saturday, October 22, 5:00 p.m.

J. Thalia Cunningham, MD, FACEP, is an emergency physician, travel writer, photographer and playwright. Cunningham has traveled to 115 of the "official" destinations of the Traveler's Century Club, an international organization for people who have visited at least 100 countries. Cunningham's predilection for spending time with insurgents - both in the emergency department and abroad - has proffered continuous opportunities to enter intimate worlds and thoughts of a diverse array of the human race. Her first-hand knowledge of people in crisis situations influences her work as both writer and photographer, allowing her to explore and confront some of society's most painful issues and to serve as catalyst for further reflection and discussion. Read more

African Masters Concert III

Sonal Bhatt

Wild Roses Belly Dance Troupe
Kuumba Dance & Drum
featuring Lilya, dances of Northern Africa & Middle East
John L. Edwards Elementary School

Saturday, October 22, 7:00 p.m.


Concert Fees:  $10 per person, Seniors (age 65 +) & College ID $8,
Youth K-12 grade $5
Family Specials: 1 adult and 2 youth $15 or 2 adults and 2 children $25.