Wenatchee Valley College (WVC) will host a series of African drumming performances and workshops this month in celebration of Black History Month. The events will feature ethnomusicologist Javoen Byrd of The Hawk Foundation.
These free performances, set for February 18 and 19, will highlight African drumming traditions while also supporting the college’s student food pantry, Knights Kupboard, through voluntary donations.
Byrd will begin his presentations on Tuesday, February 18, at 3 p.m. at the Wenatchee campus in the Maguire Conference Center, located in Mish ee twie. On Wednesday, February 19, he will perform at 6 p.m. at Hazel Allen Burnett Hall on the Omak campus.
Each event will explore the role of African drumming as a symbol of resilience among enslaved communities in the American South. Attendees will have the opportunity to participate in a 30-minute interactive drumming session, followed by an Afro-folkloric performance featuring drums, songs, and dance.
Byrd serves as the executive director of The Hawk Foundation for Research and Education in African Culture, a Washington-based organization that integrates West African and African American music into educational programs, team-building exercises, organizational development, and therapeutic applications.
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