Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market Trip

During a recent trip to the Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market, located in Harlem, New York, our teens witnessed the bustling community of African immigrants living and working along West 116^th Street. On our way to the market we stopped to photograph the various stores and local businesses in the community. Many of the establishments we found there were reminiscent of some of the places we located during our Fulton Street excursion in Bedford Stuyvesant neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York.

Here are some of the photographs we took during our Harlem trip:

Photograph of local establishments along W 116th Street, located in Harlem, New York.

Photograph of the Malcolm Shabazz Harlem Market welcome sign.

Interviewing Konate Primus

On our last visit to Cumbe, our teens had the honor of finishing their eight week-long Senegalese performing arts learning experience with a final drum circle workshop courtesy the very talented Konate Primus. Before starting the drum lesson, our teens sat down with Konate for a 30-minute interview about his life as an African American drummer, who was heavily influenced by Senegalese arts and culture.

Konate was born in Brooklyn, New York, to parents of both American and West Indian descent. He describes his childhood as being similar to that of any other typical child  growing up in Brooklyn, New York, except the only difference is  instead of hanging out with friends he spent hours learning and practicing African drum rhythms at his parents’ dance school. Although his parents were not of Senegalese descent, Konate and his family had a deep appreciation for the Senegalese culture, which led them to adopt many of the Senegalese customs they practiced at home.

Even after the interview ended, Konate continued to share wonderful stories about how drumming and Senegalese culture has influenced his life and contributed to his growth as a drummer.

NSBD teens interviewing Konate Primus.

NSBD learning sabar with Konate Primus.

Interviewing Malang Bayo

During our final week of learning contemporary dance with Papa Sy, our teens had the honor of meeting the legendary Malang Bayo, master dancer, choreographer and former member of the National Ballet of Senegal. After greeting Mr. Bayo and learning about his recent visit to Senegal our teens sat down with him for a 30-minute interview.

During the interview our teens learned about Mr. Bayo’s exciting career. Malang Bayo is a very accomplished artist. His entire career has been devoted to teaching the art of African song and dance. He is well versed in the folklore and dance of the Wolof, Mandinka, Djola, and Bambara people of Senegal. His own performance company, Mussukeba Sane West African Ballet was founded in 1992. They have performed lectures and demonstrations for schools and colleges throughout the country. In addition to this Malang Bayo has also provided choreography for several dance companies, including Silimbo D’Adeane West African Dance company in Boston, Maimouna Keita School of African Dance in New York, and Teye’ Sa Thiossanne African Dance Company in San Diego.

Photograph of Malang Bayo during the interview.