Wulaba and Soma Beats Performing at Saranac Lake Farmers' Market

Juneteenth Celebration at John Brown Farm in Lake Placid Sunday June 19th!

Come join Soma Beats dancers and Wulaba Drum West African drumming for the Father's Day Juneteenth Celebration - John Brown's Farm, Lake Placid, NY - Sunday June 19th 2011 12noon - 5pm:

12-1PM - Community Drum Circle - bring an instrument, spoons, pots and pans

1-2PM - Kid's Corner in the Barn -- recycled instrument making class Bring: empty toilet paper and/or paper towel holders

2-4PM - A " Celebration of Freedom "Spirit of West Africa in Poetry, Music and Dance" (Light picnic fare will be provided, bring additional items as needed or wanted)

4-5PM - Community Dance

Summer Drum and Dance Classes Beginning June 21st!

This summer, we have a new home for our African dance classes with Soma Beats! The dance studio is Mountains in Motion in Saranac Lake, NY.

Also new is beginner African drumming classes (djembe drums) with James of Wulaba Drum. You can sign up for both drum and dance class eight weeks for only $80!

If you prefer to sign up for just one or the other, the details are below:

8 week Summer Session: Tuesdays June 21—August 16th (Skip July5th)

6-7pm Beginner African Drum Class with Wulaba
—limited number of Djembes are available
$12 per class; $44 / 4 class card; $80 full series card


7-8:30 African Dance Class
$15 per class; $52 / 4 class card; $80 full series card

Sign up for drum and/or dance classes

Contact: Johnna@somabeats.com, call 518-791-9586, or visit SOMABEATS on facebook for more details.  For drumming information, contact James at 518-524-1834

Wulaba Drum and Soma Beats Perform for Reason2Smile Fundraiser

Below are some videos from our latest performance at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts as part of Reason2Smile's Annual Fundraiser. This Soma Beats dancers have been practicing for months and just got nifty new outfits just for this performance!

Celebrating African Style!

The North Country came out in support for Jambo Jipya School at the first ever Reason2Smile Arts Night held at the Lake Placid Center for the Arts in early March. Attendees enjoyed perusing the artwork made by professional and student artists, as well as the Kenyan marketplace which filled the lower lobby of the LPCA. The Saranac Lake High School Men and Women’s Ensembles started off the evening and were soon followed by the UVM Top Cats (an all male a cappella group from the University of Vermont). The place was rocking as the Top Cats shared their talent and energy. To end the night with an African feel, Wulaba Drummers and Somabeats Dancers took the stage and got the blood pumping! There wasn’t a still foot in the theatre as the audience got into the African groove! Over $3,000 was raised at the event and was sent straight to Jambo Jipya School! A very special thank you to the LPCA staff as well as to all the performers and volunteers! It was an incredibly successful evening! Thanks a lot to all who attended! We’re looking forward to seeing you at next year’s Reason2Smile Arts Night!