Alice Springs Workshops

King Marong is a master percussionist and cultural ambassador from The Gambia West Africa. King has been based in Australia for the past 12 years performing and teaching drum dance and cultural education at schools, festivals, universities and community events.

This year King performed at WOMADelaide with his band Afro Mandinko and ran a number of interactive drum and workshops which were a hit amongst festival goers young and old alike. Having taught and performed around the world King is now coming to Alice Springs as part of the 2011 Alice Desert Festival.

King is running a series of drum and dance workshops at the Red Hot Arts workshop space (67 Bath St) which are open to all ages and abilities.

This is a great opportunity for…

• people who have never tried drumming or dance to have a go at a fun and challenging activity
• kids to experience a whole new world of music and culture
• dancers to learn new techniques and be inspired by some funky new afro moves
• musicians to work on expanding their rhythmical influences
• anyone who just wants to have a go at something interesting new and culturally diverse

The workshop schedule is as follows…

Sat 17th Sept

Introduction to West African Drum and Dance

11am-12noon

Suitable for all ages and abilities, includes elements of rhythm, African movement and body percussion. Learn 1st hand about the intrinsic relationship between drumming and dancing in the fun and relaxed workshop.

West African Drumming Workshop

12.30-1.30pm

Suitable for those with some drumming experience. King blends demonstration with expectation to develop rhythm tone and technique in an environment of rhythmical challenge. Learn a traditional drumming piece from The Gambia, West Africa. Drumming workshop participants are invited to stay and test their new skills by providing live percussion for the dance workshop

West African Dance Workshop

2pm-3pm

In West Africa dancing is a part of everyday life and mimics everyday activities and historic events in the traditional ballets of the region. In this workshop King will take participants on a journey through the choreography for a West African ballet, as well as some more modern adaptations.

Workshops $25 each with discounts for multiple workshops

Sun 18th Sept

Kids Drum and Dance Workshop

11am-12noon

Open up a world of music dance and culture with this engaging fun and educational workshop aimed at children up to 10 years.

$15 for 1 child, $20 for 2 children (siblings)

Bookings essential, e-mail King at kingmarong@yahoo.com to book, drums provided on request.