The Maroons are a Minneapolis musical trio that performs the popular music of the English-speaking Caribbean Islands, including reggae, nyabinghi, mento, rock steady, ska, calypso and soca. The Maroons take their name from the Jamaican Maroons who were originally African slaves and Arawak Caribbean indigenous who escaped to form mountainous communities of freedom fighters around [...]
Laura MacKenzie
Considered a Master Folk Artist (Minnesota State Arts Board), Laura MacKenzie has learned from many tradition-bearers on both sides of the Atlantic. Of Scottish heritage (through Rankins and MacKenzies), her people came to the United States by way of Nova Scotia and Northern Ireland. In Saint Paul, Minnesota, Laura learned to play traditional music at [...]
Karibuni
African music consists of much more than just African drumming! Karibuni performers demonstrate music, drumming, songs, dance, storytelling, and the unique Congolese guitar style developed for Soukous (dance) music. Karibuni’s music is an immersive experience, with members hailing from the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire and the USA. Their material has roots to Congo-Kinshasa, Congo-Brazzaville, Kenya, Tanzania [...]
Kalpulli KetzalCoatlicue
Driving drum rhythms and dazzling costumes hold participants interest, and through each step the dancer in full regalia gives life to the symbols of the dance. The dancers are rooted in cultural understandings of the environment weaving together the Nahuatl cosmovision and creation stories of the Mexican ancestors. These presentations by Kalpulli KetzalCoatlicue give students [...]
CORDA
“Music is the universal language and one of my most valuable experiences from living in Eastern Europe came from my frequent encounters with Romani artists and their families. Their music, so profoundly reflecting their culture and their history, continues to be a great inspiration for me”, says guitarist Pavel Jany. CORDA’s “The Story of Romani [...]
Christian Adeti
Christian was born and raised in Accra, Ghana, in West Africa. Since he was six years old, he has loved traditional African music and dance, which he started exploring in a drama group at his church. He then danced in a local troupe called OMEGA-7, which refined his talent. Later in high school, he created [...]
Chiaki O’Brien
Originally from Japan, Chiaki brings weaving to participants ranging from small children to older adults. Chiaki creates an environment in which participants can relax, explore, have fun, and be inspired by each other. She encourages exploration – to have the freedom to choose colors and textures while creating, and much more! She wants you to [...]
Chandreyee Basu Thakur
Chandreyee Basu Thakur is an Indian Classical dancer and choreographer from Kolkata – the cultural hub of India. She has specialized in two beautiful dance forms – Bharatanatyam from Tamil Nadu and Mohiniattam from Kerala. She is a disciple of the legendary guru Thankamani Kutty. Chandreyee was the official dance choreographer for the North American [...]
