Harambee, formerly the Alive Tribe, was formed in Vernon in the fall of 2006 when Bobby Bovenzi of Nankama began his rehearsals with us. We first performed at the Kelowna Life and Arts Festival, then Komasket Music Festival, and the Vernon Farmers Market.

We now offer instruction in African drumming and dancing giving students the option to perform with the troupe although this is not a requirement to attend. While Bobby is our main source of inspiration and primary instuctor we have had other guest teachers such as Darren James and Devaki Thomas in the past and will continue to have other guest teachers in the future.

• Dates: On the second and fourth Saturdays of each month, 4-5 pm beginning this September. For information on Harambee's summer activities, please contact Robin Ritchie (contact info below).
• Times: Workshops run from 1:00-5:00 pm and are broken into sessions as follows:
  • 1:00-2:30 pm: Drum instruction. This is the ideal time for beginners to learn rhythms.
  • 2:45-3:45 pm: African Dance instruction. Drummers can stay on to get more drumming practice.
  • 4:00-5:00 pm: Harambee practice. The group will practise its performance programme. Beginners are welcome but there will be no beginner-style instruction.
• Location: Inner Light Yoga Studio in Vernon at 2807 44th Ave.
• Suggested fees are $15 for drumming and $10 for the dance portion only or just $20 for the whole class. The drummers learn a rhythm first and then can stay on to drum for the dancers.

Contact

For information call Robin Ritchie at 250-545-9121 or

Also see the Harambee poster, or download it in PDF format.

Associations: We are associated with the Trinity Drum Circle facilitated by Ann Dorval which offers free classes on the first and third Saturday of each month at the Trinity United Church in Vernon at 3300 Alexis Park Drive. Drum circle runs from 9:30-11:00. If you have never drummed before this is a great place to start.

Sponsors: We are sponsored in part by www.AbsolutleyPure.ca offering sales and service in water and air purifying equipment with locations throughout the Okanagan and Shuswap from Salmon Arm to Penticton.