In African culture, drumming and story-telling are part of the celebration of life, most especially its cycles and seasons This entertaining program uses the African cultural arts of interactive story-telling, Dance and hand drumming to teach and motivate children. The audience participates actively in simple call and response songs, this includes drumming rhythm and dance. Free Djembe provided for first 80 participants. 

PRESENTER 

Babarinde is an award-winning motivational speaker, singer, percussionist, recording artist, trumpet player, ethnomusicologist, Music Director, writer and Griot (African historian and story teller) He was born in Nigeria, West Africa and had been playing drums as soon as he could walk. He facilitates African drumming and music events in his native province of   Ontario and internationally. He has drummed with wide-eyed toddlers in daycare centers and with seniors in nursing homes, with bereaved children and traumatized youths in summer camps, and also with elated celebrants at wedding parties. Babarinde has not only led large drumming events at various institutions but also led multi-generational family groups in back yards and living rooms.

Years of after-school drumming programs in the Dufferin-Eglington areas and numerous assemblies and workshop events in schools, churches, libraries and other institutions contribute to Babarinde’s vast experience as a facilitator. Babarinde originated and led the Greater Toronto Drum Circle in the York region. His most unforgettable experience was playing for Nelson Mandela in 1990 when he paid a visit to the University Of Lagos, Nigeria.