Thione Diop

May 25

Spirit of Africa Festival Fundraiser

By nate in Uncategorized

We are doing this fundraiser to help pay the musicians and to help cover the cost of putting the festival together in Dakar Senegal this year.

Usually the Spirit of Africa happens in Seattle at the Seattle Center. Due to the coronavirus this year’s festival was cancelled.

Since Thione is in Senegal during this time, he decided to produce and live stream the festival on Facebook and YouTube from Dakar on

Saturday, 5/30,

11 am – 12:30 pm (PST).

Featured musicians include one of Senegal’s music icons, singer/song writer Cheikh Lô; Dara Guisse playing Xalam; Edouard Manga from Casamance playing kora, Group Ndoumbélane playing traditional West African instruments such as the Peul flute, kora, calabash and djembe; Gestu Band playing Afro Groove rhythms featuring Wilfrid Zinsou on saxophone; Super Sound group from Benin; Yatma Thiam and Group Afia playing Senegalese talking drum and sabar.

Please help spread the word. We appreciate any donations you can give in support of the Spirit of Africa festival. Thank you!

To attend the festival, please subscribe @SpiritOFAfricaFestival page on Facebook and our YouTube channel

https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCNtV9yAG3FgY85o5N2aRjkg/

More info coming soon! Peace and bless!

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Jan 16

Thione Diop Powerfully Expressive Djembe Drumming

By nate in Uncategorized

BUY TICKETS $5.00

Saturday, January 18, 2020, 11:00AM

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The Forum1119 8th Ave (Entrance off Seneca St.)

Seattle, Washington 98101

Google Maps Directions

Doors at 10:30AM.

Our Saturday Family Concert series continues with a performance by the legendary percussionist Thione Diop. His powerfully expressive Djembe drumming evokes the heart of the instrument as a traditional cultural icon from West Africa used to call the people together. Now he comes to Town Hall’s stage to gather us with our friends and family for an immersive experience in African music, dance, and culture.

Hailing from Senegal, West Africa, Thione Diop is descended from an ancestral line of Griot drummers and is a master of the djembe, sabar, tama, and djun djun. Thione is responsible for the annual Spirit of West Africa Festival and Kasumai Africa events, and has shared the stage with such noteworthy musicians as Poncho Sanchez, Lee Oskar, Alpha Blondy, Prince Diabate, and Max Romeo.

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Jan 16

Cheikh Lô and Thione Diop

By nate in Uncategorized

Friday, January 17, 2020, 7:30PM

The Great Hall

1119 Eighth Avenue (enter on Eighth Avenue)

Seattle, WA 98101

Doors at 6:30PM.

Instruments like the sabar and the djembe occupy a place of critical importance in Senegalese musical culture—and Senegalese musicians like Cheikh Lô and Thione Diop embody the spirit of African music that’s alive and well today. These two icons of rhythm take Town Hall’s stage for back-to-back performances as part of our Global Rhythms 2019-20 season.

Cheikh Lô’s signature style is unmistakable. An extremely slender frame enveloped by dreadlocks that mark out his membership of the Muslim sect Baye Fall—plus pop-art sneakers, embroidered tunics, Ray Bans glued to a craggy face, and a wide-braided leather necklace offering protection from the evil eye. This swagger carries over into his music; Cheikh Lô is a child of this Africa—an enthusiastic, Sahelian creative. He has performed in styles from Afrobeat to Jazz, from Cuban rhythms to custom Creole-style dance pieces. His most recent album Balbalou offers an array of mbalax grooves, complete with the explosive drumlines and expressive vocals that characterize his music.

Joining Lô in concert is Thione Diop, who is widely recognized for his powerfully expressive djembe performances. He is descended from an ancestral line of Griot drummers in Senegal, West Africa, and is a master of the djembe, sabar, tama, and djun djun. Based in Seattle as a teacher and performer, Diop and his group, Yeke Yeke, offer Pacific Northwest audiences a chance to enjoy immersive experiences in African music, dance, and culture. Pull up a seat to experience the driving energy of two performances by Senegalese masters of rhythm.

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