Well, every once in a while I like to make a personal post that may or may not have anything to do with mortgage news or the economy.Today was a makeup field-trip day for my daughter's first grade class. We went to Harmony Hall in Fort Washington, MD.
And, what a GREAT performance we were treated to for this outing.
SSUUNA: Is a dancer, percussionist, singer, songwriter, storyteller and recording artist from Uganda with a wide range of performing experience.
In 1988, he embraced the opportunity to further his education in the United States. He has since continued to spread the teachings of his elders through his performances, sharing with the audience his vast experience from Uganda thus promoting authentic East African art and literature.
SSUUNA’s solo shows are not only full of energy and command undivided attention, they also captivate the audience into participation. With plenty of opportunities to try several traditional dances and instruments, the participants learn the origin of the instruments, meaning of the dances, and different drum rhythms.
SSUUNA was absolutely energetic and captivating. He was completely engaged with the young audience. Even handling the unscheduled and unplanned visit to the stage by a young boy while Ssuuna was in the middle showing another student how to hold and use the NDONGO (8-string Bowl-Lyer). Without missing a beat (pun intended), Ssuuna included the young student in the demonstration and continued with the performance.
At the end of the performance, Ssuuna brought the different teachers from the various schools on stage and closed the show with a fusion of traditional and modern dance. The students (and adults) loved the performance and Ssuuna's charisma. They kept calling out to Ssuuna expressing their enjoyment and approval. He had to come back out for an encore, and then met the students in the lobby of Harmony Hall.
Ssuuna was very humble and appreciative of the audience's attention. I absolutely recommend catching one of his performances whenever possible. You can read more of Ssuuna's BIO at his website. You can also visit his myspace page here.
And, while you're at it, I also recommend purchasing his CDs here. My wife and I bought his two current CDs: Abakazi Mayinja (Women Are Rocks) and Voices of War. Both are excellent.
Through an exotic fusion of traditional and contemporary East African music, dance and storytelling accompanied by traditional instruments, SSUUNA will take the audience on a crucial but delightful cultural extravaganza with a promise to experience our cultural similarities and to walk away respecting the differences. SSUUNA; The Spirit of Africa is here to keep love in action.
