Standing Rock Cultural Arts'

"Around the World" Music Series presents

Kenge Kenge Orutu System

(Luo music from Nairobi, Kenya)

DRUM WORKSHOP AND PERFORMANCES 2022!

SATURDAY, JUNE 25th, 2-4pm.  DRUM WORKSHOP

-$10 Suggested Donation

Call 330-673-4970 or email info@standingrock.net to Sign Up

SATURDAY, JUNE 25. 7-9pm.  DRUM PERFORMANCE

$5 Suggested Donation

North Water Street Gallery

300 N. Water Street,Suite H

Kent, Ohio

SUNDAY, JUNE 26, 3-5pm.COMMUNITY DRUM PERFORMANCE

HOMETOWN BANK PLAZA,CORNER OF WATER AND MAIN STREETS, DOWNTOWN KENT, OHIO

FREE!

From the Great Lakes of Africa to the Great Lakes of Ohio

Kenge Kenge Orutu System is back!  SRCA is honored to present Kenge Kenge Orutu System, a unique Nairobi-based group whose music draws on the traditional roots of the Luo people of western Kenya, giving ancient songs new life by infusing them with the spirit of benga, Kenya's indigenous popular music form.

Since its formation in 1996, Kenge Kenge (whose name means "a fusion of small, exhilarating instruments") has performed on five continents, at such venues and festivals as Lincoln Center, the Smithsonian Folklife Festival, the American Folk Festival, WOMAD, WOMEX, the Rainforest World Music Festival, and NPR's "All Things Considered."

The 5-member ensemble uses such instruments as the orutu (1-string fiddle), nyatiti (8-string lyre), oporo (cow horn), and asili (end-blown flute), and a variety of traditional percussion instruments, along with joyful traditional singing and dancing.

Kenge Kenge will also present an interactive workshop at the same location at 2:00-4:00 pm.on June 25 ($5 for the afternoon workshop, $10 suggested donation for the evening concert)

The group's visit represents a rare opportunity to learn more about the Luo people and their ancient and fascinating culture, many aspects of which are believed to derive from Ancient Egypt. The homeland of the Luo is Kenya's westernmost region of Nyanza, which lies on the shores of Lake Victoria (the source of the Nile). Other famous people of Luo heritage include the late nyatiti player/vocalist Ayub Ogada, former Kenyan prime minister Raila Odinga, Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong'o, and former U.S. president Barack Obama.

‍

Standing Rock Cultural Arts Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/SRCAKent

Standing Rock Cultural Arts official site:

https://www.standingrock.net/AroundWorldConcertSeries.html

https://www.standingrock.net/

‍