Bush Mango
Youth Project student (Photo: Natalie Russo)
I volunteer much of my time and services to an amazing organization: Bush Mango Drum & Dance. I do this because I believe in what they do: they are a performing company, a teaching center and a hub of safety, creativity and love for city kids.
Bush Mango is all about immersing people of all ages in the music, movement, culture and community inspired by West African drum and dance. They engage the young and the old, the rich and the poor – the full human family of all colors – through programming, performances and learning experiences for people at all levels.
From 7 pm until 10 pm on April 21st, my good friends there will hold their 2nd annual “Beat the Drum” friend-raiser. Proceeds will benefit Bush Mango’s Youth Project, a program that teaches city youth a whole lot more than “just” West African drum and dance. Along the way, these students learn essential life skills that propel them into their futures. They learn teamwork, discipline, joy, creativity and so much more.
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This spring, Bush Mango Drum & Dance will hold two events designed to inspire and energize its audiences and make a difference in the community.
Bush Mango performing (Photo: Elissa Sundman)
At 7:30 p.m., Friday, April 13th and Saturday, April 14th, Bush Mango’s 13-member, multi-generational company will present its spring performance. Entitled Wongai! (which means Let’s Go! in Susu, a West African language), the performance is a celebration of the poly-rhythmic music and dynamic dancing of West Africa.
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What:
Bush Mango’s presents “Waking D’mba:” Bush Mango’s 13 member, multi-generational company will perform in this sure-to-inspire evening of drumming and dancing. Written and choreographed by Colleen Hendrick, Bush Mango’s executive director, this performance tells the story of a West African village that was overcome by famine and drought and is rejuvenated be a benevolent deity known as D’mba. Bush Mango will introduce its newest company member, Kerfala “Fana” Bangoura, to the public. A native of Guinea, Fana has been declared a Master Drummer and Dancer by the Guinean Ministry of Culture.
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Bush Mango Drum and Dance announces that Kerfala “Fana” Bangoura, a Master Drummer and Dancer and a native of Guinea, joins the company as its new Musical Director. In his role there, Fana will introduce new content to Bush Mango’s repertory as well as arrange all musical content for its performances, classes and outreach programs. He will also teach a drumming class on Monday evenings. Fana will work closely with Bush Mango’s Artistic Director and Executive Director, Colleen Hendrick, to direct the Company.
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Colleen Hendrick performing with Bush Mango
The current issue of Rochester Magazine features “Rochester’s 20 Most Fascinating Women – from Dance Visionaries to Extreme Volunteers.” One of the women featured is Colleen Hendrick, the executive director of Bush Mango (aka “dance visionary!). The piece delves into Colleen’s passion for West African drumming and dancing, noting how how Bush Mango’s students range from those who are three years old to those who are 70 year olds because the drumming and dancing art form practiced there “has access points for every stage of life.”
The piece also calls out Colleens interest in psychology, specifically her work exploring the unconscious and translating dreams. Although the article says that Colleen is a certified Jungian analyst, she is not. She has a pattern analyst certificate from the Assisi Institute in Brattleboro, VT. Colleen is also pursuing a Master’s degree in Cultural Narratives from Empire State College.
The end quote of the piece is my favorite, in which Colleen is noted as saying “My philosophy is taking radical responsibility for yourself in this universe.”
It’s a great piece within a great article on great women in our community. Pick up a copy and check it out!
Erinn Cain of the Messenger Post ran a thoughtful, inspiring story on Bush Mango and its Youth Project in the April 4th issue of the Henrietta Post. Here’s an excerpt and a link to the full story http://www.henriettapost.com/feature/x481350355/Bush-Mango-Youth-Project-teaches-dance-drum-and-life-skills:
There’s much more to the Youth Project at Bush Mango Drum and Dance than dance steps and drum beats. It’s about giving kids the skills they need to succeed, said Colleen Hendrick, executive director of Bush Mango, located in Rochester.
The program, in its 21st year, teaches West African drumming and dancing to area youth ages five to 18.
“Students enrolled in our programming learn so much more than drum and dance,” said Hendrick, founder of the program. “They learn and develop essential life skills and traits, such as discipline, teamwork, confidence and joy — all of which will help propel them into their futures.”
What: Bush Mango’s presents “Alive!”
Bush Mango’s 13 member, multi-generational company will perform the traditional rhythms and movements of Guinea, West Africa, in this sure-to-inspire evening of drumming and dancing.
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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release, March 2, 2011
Media Contact:
Kristine Thompson, Storyline Public Relations
585.624.7229
kristine@storylinepublicrelations.com
Bush Mango Drum and Dance Announces its First-Ever “Beat the Drum” Friend-Raiser Event
ROCHESTER, N.Y. – Celebrating its 21st year of serving the community, Bush Mango Drum and Dance announces its first-ever “Beat the Drum” friend-raiser event. The evening starts at 6:30 pm Saturday, April 9th at Bush Mango’s 34 Elton St. location, in the heart of the neighborhood of the arts. Funds raised will support its Youth Project program, which teaches drum and dance to area youth and improves the quality of their lives at the same time.
As I work on the April 9th “Beat the Drum Friend-Raiser” for Bush Mango, I find I keep going back to watch this clip. Chris Coffey, the extraordinary photographer at YNN, shot this Viewfinder piece during the summer of 2009 – it’s not dated in any way though. It really captures the essence of Bush Mango; the passion and vision of its fabulous executive director, Colleen Hendrick; the energy and spirit of the kids and others involved and the community that is Bush Mango. If you have a few minutes, check it out. For me, I get inspired every time I watch it and maybe you will, too: http://rochester.ynn.com/content/479738/the-bush-mango-community/
Bush Mango Drum and Dance is celebrating its 21st year of serving our community. Recognized as the Cultural Organization of the Year by the Arts and Cultural Council of Greater Rochester in 2006, Bush Mango continues to be known for excellence in providing West African drum and dance instruction to youth, families and adults of all ethnic, racial and socio-economic backgrounds.
On April 9th, 2011 Bush Mango Drum & Dance is hosting its first-ever Beat the Drum Friend-Raising event at its 34 Elton Street location. Great food and drinks, live music, a performance by Youth Project students and a silent and live auction will make this an amazing event.
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