BRATTLEBORO — African Dance Vermont will present a DJ dance party and performance with local African dance teachers and drummers, a benefit to raise funds to support the family of a local drumming instructor.
The event will take place on Friday, Dec. 18 at 118 Elliot in Brattleboro from 8 to 11 p.m. Beverages will be offered for sale by Metropolis.
Every Wednesday evening, the Brattleboro Stone Church comes alive with African drumming and dance classes. Raoul Ombang, originally from Cameroon, is the drum teacher and accompanist for the dance classes; more recently, he has been teaching dance.
Ombang has been drumming and dancing since a young age is now a very accomplished teacher and performer. Last January, he lost his younger brother, Songolo Tresor, a dancer and singer from Salapoumbe, Cameroon.
Tresor dedicated his life to learning and sharing the cultural traditions of his people. He died at 29 from what doctors say was malaria. The tradition in Cameroon is to have the funeral a year after the death to formally end the mourning.
Both brothers had been members of the Singo Dance Troupe since 2006.
“Singo was founded by their close friend, Georgette Adjie from Cameroon, who also teaches African dance in Brattleboro,” says Naomi Lindenfeld. “Raoul and Georgette are special members of the Brattleboro community, sharing with us their culture, rooted in ancient traditions.”
Proceeds from the evening will raise funds for Ombang to send to his family toward the expenses of his brother's funeral. At the same time, the event will also celebrate Songolo's life through coming together to enjoy African music and dancing.
Elhadji Mamadou “Pape” Ba, from Senegal, who also teaches dance regularly in Brattleboro, will join Ombang, Adjie, and friends in performing.
The party will continue across the street at Metropolis until 2 a.m.
A GoFundMe campaign for donations for Ombang's family - gofundme.com/Songolo - has been established.
For more information, visit africandancevt.com or call 802-380-5152.