Drum master to return to Whanganui this month

Popular African drumming teacher Robert Koffie Fugah is returning to Whanganui for a workshop this month. Photo/Supplied

Drumming instructor Robert Koffie Fugah is returning to Whanganui on Saturday, September 29 with his Kadodo Drum and Dance School, a year after his first workshop in Whanganui.

He will be coming to town as the last stop on a month-long North Island tour and plans to stay a few more days offering workshops in our local Whanganui Schools.

The focus of these workshops will be technique and all the different parts that make African rhythms so contagious.

Students will be introduced to African instruments and will have the opportunity to explore their own style and musical creativity in a relaxed and fun environment.

"Our local Community Drumming Whanganui group love Koffie, they were so inspired and excited by his workshop last year," said Jacqueline Brand-Holt.

"We got organised, borrowed a few drums and began a regular fortnightly group to keep playing the rhythms we learned.

"We have performed locally at community events and some of us even use their lunch breaks to squeeze in extra drumming time down by the river."

Tracey Coneybeer describes the practice as "addictive".

"I don't know why everybody doesn't do this all the time," she said.

Brand-Holt says the Kadodo Drum and Dance School is being supported by Whanganui's Creative Community programme which means the cost of attending this workshop will be "especially accessible".

"Koffie recently became a New Zealand citizen and performed at the citizenship ceremony in Dunedin."

His Whanganui workshop will be held at the River City Dance Hall on the corner of Peat and Pitt St.

To book your place and reserve a djembe drum for this workshop email africandrumanddancenz@gmail.com.

The local contact is Jacqueline Brand-Holt, 021 135 9948.