Fascinatin' Rhythms" Interactive Drum and Dance Workshops

The "Fascinatin' Rhythms" Program instructs as it entertains.8 Suitable for audiences of all sizes and ages from 8 - 80, "Fascinatin' Rhythms" begins with "Sugarfoot" playing the "berimbau" Brazilian musical bow and introducing the dance, game and sport known as Capoeira. He then moves to West and Central African drumming and "audience participation" choreography. This is followed by a breakdown of the rhythmic timekeepers throughout the diaspora in Cuba and Brazil with Mr. Coley making references to contemporary themes, engaging the audience and performing challenging, syncopated rhythms on drums, bells and shakers. Then, audience members are invited onstage again where audience and artist create a boisterous carnival of percussion and dance to an exciting climax!
Mr. Coley customizes his programs for the needs and interests of particular audiences. Possible configurations range from solo programs to group arrangements involving dancers and musicians.

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"On all counts, your performance really hit the mark... it was an entertaining and educational introduction for many of us into the subtle as well as bold variations available from percussion instruments... you also were highly successful at integrating the diversity that existed among audience members... How exciting to not only hear the rhythms, see how they are performed, but also ‘have a go’ at making them ourselves."
  Caroline Angel, Museum of Science

One-Day Residencies

This is a day-long one-man program focusing on the drumming and dance from Brazil, Cuba, and West Africa. The choreography, drumming, and cultural background of each country is the focus of intensive, separate two-hour sessions. Using live drums, pre-recorded music, and verbal descriptions, Mr. Coley engages middle-school and older students in a two-way dialogue that challenges their imaginations and preconceptions. Students then play drums together. Topics include:

• Sample choreography from each country.
• The relationship of drums to percussion.
• Evolution of drums over time and among different cultures.
• The role of technology in innovations in instrument-making and playing techniques, from traditional drums to the modern drum kit.



Link to an article about a lecture Mr. Coley recently gave.

Link to Client List.
 

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