RDT's Ring Around the Rose Presents AFRICAN DRUMS

Repertory Dance Theatre opens the eighteenth season of "Ring Around the Rose" with the one of the most popular shows, AFRICAN DRUMS on September 10, 2016 at 11:00 am.

Utah native Deja Mitchell will be joined by Derrell "Sekou Soumah" Walker of Portland, Oregon. The two artists and their guests will explore the culture of West Africa through dancing and drumming. Audience members will first get to watch authentic African dancing and drumming, then try it themselves by coming up on stage. Children can experience the sound and feel of various types of drums and learn dance moves just like the pros! This show is the most "hands-on" show of the year as the audience is involved right from the beginning.

Deja Mitchell attended Utah State University and earned a degree in modern dance. While there, she was introduced to African dance. That serendipity became one of her passions and she continued to seek out opportunities to study with many African artists. Mitchell began teaching at Eccles Community Art Center in 2006 and is a lead performer with Africa Heartwood Project and Wofa Afro-fusion Dance Company.

Derrell "Sekou Soumah" Walker is a Portland, Oregon native and a strong presence in the West African Drum and Dance community. His speciality is the unique blend of drum and dance: Western and West African. He effortlessly inhabits the highest levels of Mandingue drum and dance, and blends these skills with his American roots and a deep knowledge of the Mandingue culture.

RDT is thrilled to showcase these talented artists through the Ring Around the Rose series and give audiences the opportunity to experience African dancing and drumming first hand.

Who: AFRICAN DRUMS
What: RDT's Ring Around the Rose
When: Saturday, September 10, 2016 at 11:00 am
Where: Rose Wagner Performing Arts Center (138 West 300 South, Salt Lake City, UT 84101)
How: $5 tickets available through ArtTix (www.arttix.org, 801-355-ARTS, or at the box office)

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