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Please check out the many events: classes, performances and workshops that Fakoli Dance & Drum has to offer. We cannot list all events on this page but we'll be happy to email you a current schedule. Fode Sissoko has an ongoing schedule of classes for children & adults which are taught in the Mid-Hudson Valley area. He teaches after-school classes in the spring & fall and also has a kid's drum camp during the summer. We also offer drum intensives & workshops at our farm in High Falls, NY.
For a schedule of classes, performances & events, please email us at info@fakolidanceanddrum.com
We also offer a great Kid's Drum Camp at our farm. Please email us for dates & details.
Every year, we run a trip to Africa which takes place July / August and in January / February. We hope to have a full group this year so please inquire about the details ASAP. If you would like to join us, we invite you to start planning for the trip now. Please go to page 2 for full details.
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AFRICAN DRUM CAMP FOR KIDS
Study the Rhythms of West Africa with Master Drummer Fode Sissoko
If desired, kids can learn how to make a drum & take the drum home too!
Out Back Farm / 81 Clove Valley Road, High Falls, NY 12440
All levels and ages welcome.
Please email us for dates & prices.
tobystover@earthlink.net
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DRUMMING INTENSIVES
IF YOU CANšT COME TO AFRICA, LET AFRICA COME TO YOU!!!
MASTER DRUMMER, KORA PLAYER & GRIOT, FODE SISSOKO
INVITES YOU TO ATTEND ONE OF THE MANY DRUMMING INTENSIVES
THAT ARE SCHEDULED AT OUTBACK FARM.
Sponsored by Fakoli Dance & Drum
On 35 acres adjoining an 11,000 acre land preserve. OUTBACK FARM, 81 Clove Valley Road, High Falls, NY 12440. Students will learn technique & traditional rhythms from West Africa. African food will be served. Camping is available.
FODE SISSOKO, master drummer, kora player, griot & choreographer is from Senegal West Africa. He has been performing and teaching the NY & the Hudson Valley area for over 10 years. He is a very talented and charismatic teacher.
For more information, prices & dates: tobystover@earthlink.net 845-687-0692
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Fakoli Dance & Drum / West African Drum and Dance Company, founded and directed by Fode Sissoko
Fakoli Dance & Drum, a West African folkloric group, is available for performances and school assemblies of traditional music and dance in full costume. The shows are entertaining as well as educational and contain song, stories, kora and balafon playing, driving djembe and dundun drums with stilt walking and energetic dancing.
Fakoli Dance & Drum is available for bookings. For information,
contact Toby Stover, 845-687-0692 tobystover@earthlink.net
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Fakoli / An Afro pop group of original Mandinko music, directed by Fode Sissoko
The Band
FODE SISSOKO
Composer, Kora, Djembe & Vocals
Fode Sissoko was born in Kolda, Senegal, into one of the most eminent musical families in West Africa. Virtually at birth, he was incorporated into his father's well-known family group,"Ninki-Nanka". As a young child, Fode began his training on the kora, a West African harp and was already performing as a "Griot" (singer/musician/Storyteller) by the age of 5. At the age of 8, he began playing the djembe and Dun-dun drums and is now an acknowledged master of the drum and kora. As a touring artist in Africa, Europe and the Americas with numerous companies, including Baba Olatunji, he has become well known as a featured soloist. As a vocalist, he has clearly inherited his family's soaring singing technique and saunters deftly among tonal colors and styles. He is the founder and director of FAKOLI DANCE & DRUM.
TOBY STOVER
Keyboards, Vocals
Toby Stover is a pianist, singer, dancer and more than 20 year veteran of music and theater arts. Toby is familiar with indigenous music styles and is an acknowledged master of New England style rhythm accompaniment. Her Country dance band, Fennig's All-star String Band, has 5 CDs to their credit. She has worked here in the USA as well as abroad with groups such as Bottle Hill, Allistair Anderson, Fiddle Fever, Walt Michael and company, Fennig's All-stars and The Vanaver Caravan. She has been working with Fennig's and the Caravan for over 30 years. Toby is the manager of FAKOLI DANCE & DRUM and is a quintessential force of the company.
MAMADOU DIAITE
Guitar, Vocals
Mamadou Diaite is a gifted Mandingo songwriter, singer and guitarist. He comes from a famous musical family of the Cassamance region of Senegal, where his father and uncle were members of the Seidhou Band, a very popular Afro-manding group. He plays a variety of instruments including guitar, djembe, dun-dun, balaphone and kora. He lived and studied music with the Cissokho family, where he played in their dance and drum company as well as numerous groups in Senegal. He is currently a member of FAKOLI DANCE & DRUM, FAKOLI, the band and he has much experience as a performer and teacher. Mamadou is currently working on a solo CD.
GODFREY DAMRATH
Bass
Godfrey has worked as a bassist, songwriter and producer for twenty-two years, having his stage debut at age 11. He is best remembered to New York audiences as the bassist for the Hudson Valley's alternative pioneers Oblivion Grin ( with whom he released five recordings) as well as the hard rock of Guavalamp and Acid blues of Big Sister. He has also produced and engineered recordings for artists as diverse as Miami Rapper Zay Zay and Woodstock punk band Blissfully Ignorant. In January of 2000, Godfrey traveled to Dakar, Senegal with Fode to serve as Musical Director and bassist for the Senegalese line-up of FAKOLI. Godfrey Damrath is also the producer and engineer of the Fakoli recordings, "Mother Love" and "Drum in the Fire".
MIKE KIMMEL
Trap Drums
Mike Kimmel signed to Columbia Records at the age of 22. Mike has played with Michael Brecker, Hubert Laws and performed with the Allman Brothers, The Band and Buddy Miles. Mike drums to bring Unity, Peace and Love to the world through music.
FAKOLI / ORIGINAL MANDINKO WORLD BEAT
PRESS RELEASE
Fode Sissoko plays and sings like a man who was born to his music, loves it and believes it will heal the world, says a recent review of FAKOLI's CD, MOTHER LOVE. The World Beat original Mandinko sound of this group is an organic mix of rich polyphonic rhythm, Senegalese and English vocals along with western and traditional instrumentation. The magic starts with the impressive mastery of Fode's vocals, djembe and kora along with Mamadou's vocals and guitar. Add to the this the lyrical keyboard rhythms and vocals of Toby Stover with the throbbing pulse of bassist Godfrey Damrath. Combine this with the unifying force of drummer Mike Kimmel for a thrilling and charismatic musical experience. This is music you can really dance to. Fode and Mamadou both grew up in musical families in native Senegal. Fode who previously toured with Baba Olatunji, relocated to the Hudson Valley in the early 1990šs. "The Senegalese drumming was exceptional and thrilling and of the highest quality", says Dutchess County Arts Council. If you donšt move to this band check your pulse.
For bookings or more information, please contact Toby Stover / tobystover@earthlink.net / 845-687-0692
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FAKOLI DANCE & DRUM CALENDAR
Please email us for an updated calendar of events ranging from concerts, workshops, ongoing classes & our trip to Africa.
Classes, performances and workshops generally run from mid-March through July and from mid-September through mid-November. Trips generally run during July / August and January / February.
For dates, prices & directions, call or email Toby Stover / 845-687-0692 / tobystover@earthlink.net
Copyright Š 2004 . All Rights Reserved.
