Spring Drum and Dance Retreat 2010

Sep 4 & 5th with Salaka from Ghana
Others in 2010 - Nov 27- 28

Come and Share the wonderful spirit, music and culture of Africa on this unique weekend with members of esteemed Ghanaian Ensemble - Salaka .

• Drum and dance classes for beginner to advanced
• African singing lessons and storytelling
• Bonfire jams and more.

8 x Log Cabins with Ensuites and heating. Kid friendly (trampolines, ropes course). Friends and Family welcome just for the stay.

Please book early — this event was booked out last year.
Car Pooling available. Just ask me

Spring Drum n Dance Retreat
@ Log Cabin Camp, Creswick
(near Daylesford)
270 Ascot RD, Creswick VIC 3363

The Program

Saturday
9.45am sharp	Registration
10.30am	Communal Introduction
11.00pm	Drumming (Beg. Int & Adv)
12.45pm	Dancing
1.45pm	Lunch
3.15pm	Drumming (Beg. Int & Adv)
5.00pm	Dancing with Drumming
Evening	Bonfire Jam
Sunday
9.45am	Drumming (Beg. Int & Adv)
11.30	Dancing with Drumming
1pm	Lunch
2.30pm	Drumming (Beg. Int & Adv)
4pm	Dancing with Drumming
5.00pm	Final Ceremony
6pm	Head home

Master Drummer Tuza is the lead drummer from his village Nungua in Ghana, is recognised by the National Commission for Culture as a leading exponent of traditional African music and has worked with the top national cultural groups of his country.

Tuza was the lead drummer of The Kusun Ensemble and Wala before starting The Salaka Ensemble. One of his primary aims is to pass on the rich musical heritage of his tribe to the younger generations to ensure the rhythms and songs are preserved – this is the reason for naming his ensemble “Salaka” which means “sharing”…literally sharing the music through the generations.Tuza has settled in Sydney as the  Artistic Director of Teambeat, and leads drum & dance tours back to Ghana every January with Ekome Tours.

Odai is a dancer beginning his career with a Ghanaian cultural group called Suorde, then another group called Noko Yedzen which later became known as The Salaka Ensemble. He performed with a local band called
Adinkra travelling to neighbouring Burkina Faso. He visited America with Kusun in 2007. This is his first time visiting Australia.

Mustafa is a drummer beginning with a group called Nyomo Baatso (“God Will Show”) based in Nungua, Ghana. From there he moved to another drum troupe called Wassa Africa before moving to Tuza’s group Noko Yedzen later known as The Salaka Ensemble. Mustafa is a drum prodigy, and it is commonly assumed he will mature to be one Ghana’s finest drummers.

Cost

All tuition & Sat/Sun night accommodation	$190/170
Friday night accommodation	Extra $35
Day price	$120/110
Non - Drummers weekend	$120/110
Non - Drummers day	$70/60
Drum Hire (Pre-booking required)	$10

• To pay, please bring cash on the weekend
• Family packages available (please call/email for details)
• Non-drumming friends and family welcome

What to bring

• Drum if you have one.
• Shoes to dance in
• BYO food/drinks (there is a big commercial kitchen with everything)
• sleeping bag and pillow.
• warm clothes

Directions from Melbourne:
Allow 1hr 45min - Leave Melb 8am latest
Take the Western Freeway (M8) Leave freeway at Midland Highway (A 300) exit at Ballarat. (Ballarat Bypass)
Turn right and cross over freeway. Then continue on this road into Creswick (Approximately 15 kms from exit). Once in Creswick, turn left into Victoria Street.
Turn right at roundabout just past railway line and follow Luttet St (Ascot Road) 3 kms. from roundabout to Log Cabin Christian Camp entrance on left.
Melways 609 Ref A 10 .............