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Family Programs

Details:

Join PAMA and The Brampton Museum of African History and Culture for a Black History Month Celebration. Discover the bold rhythms and sounds of African drums. Featuring performances by Toronto Burundi Drummers and Master Drummer Amadou Kienou. Enjoy presentations on drums, including what makes the Burundi drums considered Heritage. Plus, at 3 p.m. join a hands-on children’s workshop with the Toronto Burundi Drummers.

This program is free. Space is limited, register now to reserve your spot.

Toronto Burundi Drummers has performed drumming and dancing for more than 20 years. We have appeared at events across the Greater Toronto Area, and have performed internationally at the Civitanova Danze Festival in Italy. From the moment that we enter carrying drums on our heads, to our dynamic jumping and rhythmic chanting, our performances enthrall audiences at community festivals, arts events, corporate and private events.

The goal of our community group is to preserve and promote Burundi Drumming. We offer free instruction and no experience is necessary. Programs are available in English or French, and are free of gender-bias.
The TBD Show Team is available for community celebrations, commercial events and private weddings. The TBD Education Team can provide clinics for any age range and situation including culture-themed events, Black History month, team-building workshops.
Contact: info@torontoburundidrummers.ca

Amadou Kienou: Master Drummer & Griot

Master drummer Amadou Kienou hails from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, West Africa, once part of the vast ancient Mandingo Empire. A descendant of the Dafin people, Amadou was initiated as a djeli or griot (an oral historian), one of a long line of griots whose role is to preserve and transmit their people’s history, culture, and values. Nowadays, bringing the traditional to the contemporary, Amadou delights international audiences with his unique polyrhythmic expression of emotions and memories.

The djembe is Amadou’s principal instrument. As he describes it, “the djembe is more than a musical instrument; it is an extension of the musician through which he expresses his life, his emotions.” Mastery of the djembe requires a lifetime of discipline and dedication, and the guidance of a djembe master, provided, in Amadou’s case, primarily by his father, the late revered Baba Kienou. Amadou plays several other traditional African instruments – the dunduns, the n’goni, and the tama, not to mention the Western guitar and drum set.

As a djeli, musician-composer, dancer, choreographer, and instructor, Amadou Kienou has been active throughout North America, Africa, Europe, Asia, India, and the Caribbean. He has performed and recorded with many great artists, including Miriam Makeba, Manu Dibango, Angélique Kidjo, Sali, Youssou N'dour, and Kassav, and with his own ensembles Fotéban and Djeli Sira (The Griot’s Path). In recognition of his artistry, he has received numerous awards, including Best African Performing Artist in Canada 2019, Radio Kilimandjaro’s Best Male Performer of 2018 and Male Artist of the Year 2016, Cultural Ambassador of Burkina Faso in Canada. On June 19^th, 2018, Amadou Kienou was awarded the Order of Merit of Arts, Letters and Communication, in Ottawa, Canada.

Formally recognized as a Griot/Master Drummer in his homeland (and the only one in Canada), Amadou has resided in Toronto since 2008, performing around the globe and regularly teaching dance and drumming workshops in schools, universitie, and at festivals throughout the nation. Amadou’s fluency in English, French, German and the universal language of the drum allows him to reach a large audience with his teachings.

Location:

9 Wellington St. E., Brampton, ON, L6W 1Y1