[Hen] Videoconference Event (11/14/06)- A Conversation about Music Dance, and Life in Central Africa (wrong Email address)

[Johnson, Bill]

Sorry for the double-posting, but the correct email for Kent Tonkin is
ktonkin at cermusa.francis.edu.

The address at the bottom of the press release has an extra "e" in it.

Sorry for any confusion!
-Mike

I can only imagine some of you on these lists might be interested in
this FREE event;

Bill Johnson

-----------------------------------

Saint Francis University and CERMUSA Presents 

Ngoma: A Conversation about Music, Dance and Life in Central Africa.
Featuring Congolese Master Musician Elie Kihonia

11.14.06: 1pm-2pm: Live Via Internet 2

Saint Francis University's Center of Excellence for Remote and Medically
Under-Served Areas (CERMUSA) is proud to present Congolese master
musician, Elie Kihonia, live via Internet2 on November 14 from 1pm to 2
pm EST.  Through interview, discussion, lecture, and live demonstration,
Mr. Kihonia will showcase the various aspects of music from the
Democratic Republic of Congo.  Participants will learn about and
experience traditional Congolese music, dance, concepts and musical
instruments such as the Ngoma drum. They will witness an in-depth
interview with Mr. Kihonia focusing on his experiences growing up and
becoming a musician in the Congo. Towards the end of the session,
participants will be given the opportunity to interact and ask
questions.

Artist Bio
Elie Kihonia is the founder of Afrika Yetu and Umoja African Arts
Company. He was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly
Zaire) and exposed to both traditional and neo-traditional African music
and dance at an early age. As a multi-instrumentalist that plays African
percussion and contemporary instruments, his expertise includes the
xylophone, mbira, hand and set drums, keyboard, accordion and guitars.

While in Zaire, Mr. Kihonia developed his passion for keeping the roots
of African arts alive, and became a pioneer in intermixing traditional
and neo-traditional music. In 1989, his ensemble Gevakin toured Africa,
Europe and the United States. Seeing the need to introduce and promote
Africa's rich and diverse history, culture, and traditions through song
and dance, Mr. Kihonia became a co-founder of Umoja African Arts
Company, in order to create an organization in the U.S. to unify and
promote the arts of diverse African cultures. He performs, teaches,
choreographs, writes, and produces multi-cultural productions
internationally. 

Mr. Kihonia has been associated with the Ministry of Culture and Arts in
his native Democratic Republic of Congo as the international Director of
Production. He served as an artist consultant for the Museum of African
Art in New York, The Carnegie Museums in Pittsburgh, PA, The Smithsonian
Institute in Washington, D.C., and various Universities such as Carnegie
Mellon University, The University of Pittsburgh, La Roche College, and
Natal University of Durban in South Africa.  

In 2000, Mr. Kihonia has developed Safari, Afrika Yetu/WaCongo's
educational residency program. Elie is currently conducting healing drum
workshops with various health and AIDS-related organizations such as the
Mercy Behavior Health Center, Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force,
Citipark/Senior Citizens, and the Marimba House in South Africa. 

This event is geared for both high school and college audiences and will
include an open question and answer period.  In concert with MAGPI,
Saint Francis University is pleased to offer this session free of charge
via the Internet2 commons.  Pre-registration is required NO LATER than
Friday, November 10, 2006.  

To register, or for more information, please contact Kent Tonkin at
ktonkin at ceremusa.francis.edu