Musician Ubaka Hill returns to Chicago in March for several events.
Saturday, March 22, 7:30 p.m., special performance by the DrumSong Orchestra. Opening for Ubaka: Diamana Diya, an all-female drumming group, presents traditional rhythms and songs from Guinea, West Africa. Co-founders Helen Bond and Amy Lusk have studied in Guinea with world-renowned musician Famoudou Konate, grand master of the jembe drum. Diamana Diya is translated 'make good music for the land.' At Mountain Moving Coffeehouse for Womyn & Children, 1700 W. Farragut, Chicago; mmch@angelfire.com or ToniAJr@aol.com .
There are also drumming workshops. The songs taught at each workshop will be different. All are beginner-intermediate level. All types of hand drums and percussion are welcome. Women from the Saturday workshop will be invited to perform with Ubaka Saturday night as the DrumSong Orchestra.
Friday, March 21 ( 7-9:30 p.m. ) for all ages & genders, co-sponsored with Oak Park Women's Drum Circle, Apex Learning Center, and HolyGoat Drumming 171 N. Cuyler, Oak Park, Cornerstone Church 1 block east of Ridgeland, 2 blocks north of Lake, ( 708 ) 763-0991.
Saturday, March 22 ( 2:15-4:45 p.m. ) for women & girls, co-sponsored with Affinity, 5650 S. Woodlawn, Chicago ( Hyde Park ) , in church on NW corner, garden level ( 773 ) 324-0377.
E-mail or call for more workshops being planned, ToniAJr@aol.com; ( 773 ) 769-9009.