Kaya [Traditions] is an annual benefit show hosted by the Tiyumba West African Drum & Dance Company. Proceeds from the show directly benefit youth and their community in Tamale, northern Ghana (Fatawu’s hometown)! This year we are honoring the energy, connections, and love of the drum and dance community we’ve grown in Minnesota. In addition to presentations by company members, community drummers and dancers will be taking the floor in celebration West African culture. Audience members are an essential part of this experience.
THANK YOU TO ALL WHO ATTENDED AND SUPPORTED!
Saturday, June 27
Event Details
6:00 PM
Doors Open, Silent Auction, African Refreshments, African Market, Family-Friendly Activities
7:00 PM
Main Program!
8:00 PM
Silent Auction Closes
8:45 PM
Silent Auction Check-Out
Event Close
Sunday, June 28
Event Details
3:30 PM
Doors Open, African Market
4:00 PM
Main Program!
5:30 PM
Event Close
Experience the joyful spirit of West African rhythms and movements with the vibrant Tiyumba community!
Main Program
Kaya is our annual African drum and dance show benefitting the Tiyumba Foundation! Throughout the evening you will be immersed in the rhythms, movements, foods, and energy of West Africa and our local Tiyumba drum and dance community here in Minnesota.
We are proud to showcase local community members who attend community drum and dance classes, the Tiyumba West African Drum & Dance Company and this year we are featuring two incredible members of our community; Melissa Clark and Brotha Ase. Read more details about them below.
In addition to the drum and dance, you will learn about the Tiyumba Youth Development and Cultural Center in Tamale, Ghana. This center is the primary mission of the Tiyumba Foundation and all proceeds raised at the shows supports an incredible group of youth in Ghana.
Saturday Show Activities
Featured Artists
Brotha Ase
𝐁𝐥𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲𝐭𝐞𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐫𝐬 𝐀𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
Brotha Ase is a modern-day griot, drummer, storyteller, and cultural curator from Minneapolis whose work bridges African oral traditions, rhythm, poetry, and community healing. Through djembe, spoken word, and storytelling, he creates spaces that invite people to remember, reflect, and reconnect with themselves and each other. At this gathering, he’ll be offering rhythmic storytelling and ancestral-inspired reflections that honor memory, nature, spirit, and the power of collective voice.
𝐈𝐆: @𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐚_𝐀𝐬𝐞
𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤: 𝐉𝐨𝐬𝐡𝐮𝐚 𝐁𝐫𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐚 𝐀𝐬𝐞 𝐆𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐞
Photo credit: Imani Mansfield
Melissa Clark is a prominent Twin Cities movement artist, 2020 McKnight Dancer Fellow, and the head Professora of ABCapoeira Senavox Minneapolis. Her specific interests focus on identifying and promoting cross-cultural intersections in dance and arts aesthetics, musicality, historical content, and curative elements. Melissa’s background includes: Afro–Brazilian Contemporary, Afro–Cuban, Ballet, Capoeira, Chicago House and Footwork, Contemporary, Hip Hop, Modern, Samba, Tap, Traditional Haitian Dance, as well as Traditional West African Dance from Ghana, Guinea, and Mali.
Photo credit: Kameron Herndon
Professora of ABCapoeira Senavox Minneapolis
Melissa Clark
A look into past: Kaya [Traditions]
In 2024, the Tiyumba Foundation was granted funds through MN State Arts Board Cultural Expression Grant to bring guest artists from the Dagbamba Tribe of northern Ghana to Minnesota for our annual benefit show for a profound celebration of culture and art. Click the button below for photos and videos from our Kaya 2024.
