Schedule for Entertainment: 

10 AM - Educational Video

10:15 AM - Story Time

10:30 AM - Drum Arizona 

11 AM - Kawambe-Omowale Drum and Dance Theatre

Entertainment:

Kawambe-Omowale African Drum and Dance Theatre:

Kawambe-Omowale African Drum & Dance Theatre offers a glimpse into the cultural expressions of African Peoples south of Sahara and their African diaspora through performances of drumming, dancing, singing, storytelling and our traditional audience engagement and participation.

Kawambe-Omowale is a Phoenix-based arts company now celebrating 40 years in the Valley of the Sun! We have performed throughout the state of Arizona, as well as, outside of our state. Through public and private performances, workshops, special programs and our weekly community class, Kawambe Omowale invites you to experience the brilliance and joy of our captivating art forms! 

Drum Arizona:

Dr. Lydia A. Woods has facilitated over 800 drums circles and is the Founder & CEO of Drum Arizona, Inc. a non-profit 501c3 organization that introduces African Djembe and Native American style drumming to local communities. Her organization also gives away African Djembe drums and Native American style handmade/hand painted drums to children who have experienced trauma. To date over 650 drums.

The goal of Drum Arizona is to promote physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual healing through a dynamic drumming experience.

A drum circle is any group of people playing hand-drums and percussion instruments in a circle. Come participate in learning multi-rhythms on African Djembe drums. All drums provided. No experience necessary. Everyone can participate.

This is a facilitated drum circle making up the music as we go along. Participants use their listening and playing skills to make musical connections to express themselves in ways that feel natural and right. The most common reason people give for attending drum circles is “stress reduction.”  The many benefits of drumming promote healing and self-expression, by reducing tension and anxiety. Drumming also helps to control pain, induces deep relaxation, lowers blood pressure and reduces stress. The powerful rhythms produce endorphins and endogenous opiates, the bodies own morphine-like painkillers.  The sound of drumming generates neuronal connections in the entire brain.

Activities 

• Educational Activities

• Musical performances

• Storytime

• Retail and Information Booths

• Arts & Crafts 

Accessibility  

This event is held at Southeast Regional Library, which is fully accessible by strollers, wheelchairs and walkers.

Check out the photos from previous years!

• 2023

Sponsorship Opportunities 

• If you are interested in sponsoring this event, please contact Mike Leppert at 480-503-6235 or email him at mike.leppert@gilbertaz.gov

Vendor Opportunities 

If you are interested in being a food or retail vendor at one of our events, please submit the  Vendor Application Form.

Vendors must receive approval from Gilbert Events before attending the event.