UAF to host Ghanaian drummer, dancer

Submitted by Marmian Grimes
Phone: (907) 474-7902
01/30/06

Ghana native Maputo Mensah, master African drummer and dancer, will visit Fairbanks Feb. 6-10 for multiple performances and lectures. His visit is sponsored by the University of Alaska Fairbanks Office of Multicultural Affairs and Diversity.

Mensah was a principal member of the Akrowa Cultural Performance Ensemble at the Academy of African Music and Arts in Accra, Ghana. He is currently a faculty member at the University of Colorado and Naropa University and teaches at Bantaba World Music and Dance in Boulder, Colo. He has toured internationally and trained with master drummers Moustapha Teddy Addy and Obo Addy.

Following is a schedule of Mensah’s appearances in Fairbanks. All events are free and open to the public.

Monday, Feb. 6
5:30-7:30 p.m.--Reception at UAF Alumni Association

Wednesday, Feb. 8
7-8:30 p.m.--Performance at UAF Davis Concert Hall

Thursday, Feb. 9
11:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.--Lecture, UAF geography club, at Elvey Auditorium
1:30-3:30 p.m. --Movement class at UAF Great Hall
7-8:30 p.m.--Master class at Wood Center Carol Brown Ballroom

Friday, Feb. 10
9:30-11 a.m.--UAF hip-hop dance club at Wood Center Carol Brown Ballroom
Noon-1 p.m.--Lecture/demonstration at UAF Wood Center
1:30-2:30 p.m. --Performance at UA Museum of the North
3:30-4:30 p.m. --Lecture/demonstration at Alaska Coffee Roasters
7:30-9 p.m.--Master class at Wood Center Carol Brown Ballroom

CONTACT: UAF Office of Multicultural Affairs and Diversity Manager Ana Richards at (907) 474-7300 or via e-mail at fnamr@uaf.edu . Judy Kreith, adjunct professor of dance at (907) 479-8633. UAF Public Information Officer Marmian Grimes at (907) 474-7902 or via e-mail at marmian.grimes@uaf.edu .