The first African Dance and Drum classes at the Universal Institute Charter School concluded with a recital this week at the Marian Anderson Recreation Center in Marian Anderson Village. Over three dozen elementary grade children performed several intricate drum and dance routines they learned this fall to the delight of a capacity audience of over 150 parents, guardians and community supporter, including Odunde founder Lois Fernandez. Odunde is a national leader in providing opportunities for diverse audiences to meet, engage, cultivate and learn about the diverse African American and African heritage, communities, leadership and arts.
“All of these children have never been exposed to this type of programing or African culture with African dancing and drumming,” explained Odunde CEO Oshunbumi “Bumi” Fernandez. “All the little boys you saw drumming and the girls dancing, that was their first time. What we want to do is teach the children where it comes from — where they come from — and not to be embarrassed by where you come from and that you are from kings and queens. All the dances that they do now all came from Africa, and is a derivative of African dance. We’re looking to teach these children that.”
The mid-week performance was the result of Odunde 365, a new initiative whose ultimate goal is to provide cultural and athletic programming year round to the tri-state area. “It is just a wonderful experience!,” noted Fernandez. “Our mission is to preserve and celebrate African and African-American culture. This initiative will allow us to provide cultural programming such as African dance and drumming classes, African art classes, youth leadership lectures, computer literacy classes and other programs in schools, universities and community centers. When I created Odunde 365, I wanted to have this programs 365 days, or all year round, but I realized due to limited funding we had to take small steps. My ultimate goal is to get Odunde 365 in all the schools and all the community centers.”
The next series of Odunde 365 African Dance and Drum Saturday sessions begins on Jan. 28 at 10 a.m. at the Marian Anderson Recreation Center, 744 S. 17th Street (between Catharine and Fitzwater streets). For more information, call (215) 732-8510 or visit odundefestival.org.
Contact Tribune staff writer Bobbi Booker at (215) 893-5749 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .
