Sean Gaskell will give a performance and educational demonstration on the kora, an ancient 21-stringed harp from West Africa. He will feature traditional songs that are the heart and soul of the kora’s musical repertoire in addition to some of his own personal compositions. All ages are welcome!
The Kora is native to the Mande peoples who live within the countries of Gambia, Senegal, Mali, Guinea, and Guinea Bissau. The music is traditionally played by oral and musical historians known as Griots (Gree-ohs). The Kora is a melodic and seemingly peaceful instrument, which is somewhat contrary to its musical repertoire. Many songs tell ancient stories of war and hardship, while others praise people of high political status and those who helped expand the Mande Empire. While the Kora is only 300 years old, some commonly played songs can be traced back 800 years to the Mande empires’ founding. Gaskell has studied extensively under the instruction of Malamini Jobarteh and Moriba Kuyateh of Brikama, The Gambia, and Kane Mathis of Brooklyn, NY. Gaskell has been featured at numerous festivals in the US, Gambia, and Senegal.
For a preview, check out this video of Sean performing.
This is a drop-in slide show, presented by local author and illustrator Blanche Cybele Derby. Blanche will talk about how some common, early spring weeds can be used as food. You’ll discover how to identify and use often overlooked plants for delicious additions to your meal.
Blanche Cybele Derby is author and illustrator of My Favorite Plants, My Wild Friends (out of print) and More My Wild Friends, and creator of the film trilogy Edible Plants: Wild and Tame (Spring, Summer, and Fall). She has led numerous walks, lectured extensively and regularly includes wild plants in her meal.
Check out her website to learn more!
Beginner ukulele class. Singing is encouraged (prerequisite: shower singing). Class limited to 12 people. April 17th for youth, April 18th for adults. Registration strongly encouraged. Bring your own ukulele and tuner if you have them. If you don’t, there will be ukuleles available for use during the workshop. (Let us know if you are left-handed).
Beginner ukulele class. Singing is encouraged (prerequisite: shower singing). Class limited to 12 people. April 17th for youth, April 18th for adults. Registration strongly encouraged. Bring your own ukulele and tuner if you have them. If you don’t, there will be ukuleles available for use during the workshop. (Let us know if you are left-handed).
Local poet Janet Aalfs will lead a poetry workshop that will include brief moving meditation segments for connecting with one’s creative energy. Registration is strongly encouraged.
Janet, poet laureate emeritus of Northampton, MA and a master instructor of integrative arts including Poetry, TaiChi & Qigong, Karate, Filipino Stick Arts, and Empowerment Self-protection Strategies, has been teaching and performing locally, nationally, and internationally for 40 years. Founder/Director of Lotus Peace Arts at Valley Women’s Martial Arts, a non-profit school started in 1977, and located in Easthampton since 1984, Aalfs enjoys helping to create community sites for revelation and enjoyment. Her writing has been widely published, and she has received awards for her leadership in the arts as well as prizes for her poetry. Her most recent book of poems is Bird of a Thousand Eyes (Levellers Press).
Join Janet Aalfs for a series of Tai Chi classes! Twice on Tuesday evenings and twice on Friday mornings. Registration is strongly encouraged. Call or come in to sign up.
Janet, poet laureate emeritus of Northampton, MA and a master instructor of integrative arts including Poetry, TaiChi & Qigong, Karate, Filipino Stick Arts, and Empowerment Self-protection Strategies, has been teaching and performing locally, nationally, and internationally for 40 years. Founder/Director of Lotus Peace Arts at Valley Women’s Martial Arts, a non-profit school started in 1977, and located in Easthampton since 1984, Aalfs enjoys helping to create community sites for revelation and enjoyment. Her writing has been widely published, and she has received awards for her leadership in the arts as well as prizes for her poetry. Her most recent book of poems is Bird of a Thousand Eyes (Levellers Press).
Computer classes offered in collaboration with the Easthampton Council on Aging and Enrichment Center. Topic changes monthly. Held at the Eastampton Council on Aging. Seats are limited! Call 527-1031 or email slevine@ewmlibrary.org to register!