Vibrant rhythms and rhymes are set to resound as Sankusem's African Music Festival begins its Northwest tour at Icicle Creek Music Center in Leavenworth, Washington October 28 -30 2011.
The African Festival, produced by Sankusem, a New York based non-profit organization dedicated to the performance and promotion of African music written for classical instruments, makes its second appearance at Icicle Creek Music Center where it debuted in June 2010 to rave reviews. This year it will include three concerts in Leavenworth as part of a larger Northwest tour.The African Festival will once again bring an impressive roster of eminent International Artists including Chicago-based violinist Rachel Barton Pine, a sought after soloist world wide who frequently appears on the cover of Strings and other major classical magazines; UK/African soprano/conductor Margaret Ferguson, called "Africa's Lady of Song", who has performed operas, oratorios, spirituals, and jazz concerts throughout the UK, Europe, United States, and Africa; Kofi Anang, traditional storyteller/drummer on faculty at Cornish College of the Arts; George Francois, lauded Ghanian pianist and Executive Director of Sankusem; and Sally Singer, acclaimed cellist on faculty at Whitman College and Artistic Director of Sankusem. There will also be a special appearance by esteemed master drummer Obo Addy and his Okropong Drum & Dance Ensemble (pictured upper left; photo by Chris Parsons) in the Leavenworth leg of the tour.Videos