Drum and dance with Michael Taylor and Leah Ivory! TTMDA Senior Certified teacher Michael Taylor will be coming to Grand Rapids to share his djembe knowledge and teach rhythms that have been passed on to him through his teacher, Mamady Keïta.
Following two drum classes, stick around and move your body to the ancient rhythm Moribayassa. Our bodies need to shed the burdens and hardships that come our way.
All levels of experience welcome for all classes!

Schedule:
Drum 10:30-12:30 ($25)
(break)
Drum 1:30-3:30 ($25)
Dance 3:45-5:15 ($15)

*$10 off two classes
$15 off three classes
$5 to rent a drum, must reserve in advance
To reserve a drum, email (leahivory@me.com) or text (616-856-8093) Leah Ivory

Pay at class or online:
PayPal.Me/leahdrumanddance
Venmo: @Leah-Ivory
If paying online, please indicate which class/classes you plan to attend. Thank you!

The Tam Tam Mandingue Djembe Academy, founded by Mamady Këita, is the only international school of djembe. USA TTMDA teachers Michael Taylor, from Chicago, IL and Leah Ivory, from Grand Rapids, MI bring this djembe workshop to West Michigan! Class schedule as follows:
10:15-11:45 Rhythms created by Mamady Këita
LUNCH BREAK
1-2:15 Solo technique 
2:30-3:45 Dununba rhythms
4-5 Level appraisement testing, for anyone seeking to advance in the TTMDA program. 
*sign up in advance for level appraisement test
**djembes available to rent for $5. Must register in advance. 

Cost: $25/class, or $60 for all three classes. 
Level appraisement testing, separate fee, depending on which level. 

Register now by emailing leahivory@me.com. 
Payment can be sent to: PayPal.Me/leahdrumanddance

Come to Creston Brewery for food and drinks and stay for a community drum jam in the taproom on Thursday, November 8, from 8-10p. The evening will be facilitated by Leah Ivory, who will get things started by demonstrating and teaching a traditional rhythm from West Africa. 

Rhythm inherently connects us together. The multi-layered West African traditional rhythms rely on community - it takes many parts to create the complete rhythmic melody. And so, we build community when we play together. 

Bring your drum! Come and drum!

1504 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505.

Leah Ivory returns to Thought Design Learning Studio, 10 E Bridge St NE, Rockford, to lead us using djembes! Rhythm inherently connects us together; West African traditional rhythms, in particular, create community. By joining together, we can create something more beautiful and powerful than we could do on our own. Chakra meditation to follow. Djembes (drums) and refreshments included. $30. No experience necessary. 

Register through Shamamagroup.com:

https://www.shamamagroup.com/events-1/harvest-drumming-and-meditation

Come out for Creston Brewery's STREET PARTY SERIES on Saturday, August 25, from noon-9pm. Play drums with Josh Dunigan, see Ethiopian dancing, hear and watch West African drum and dance with Leah Ivory and guests Michael Taylor and Ed Clifford, and bring your own drum for a community drum jam!!! 

Come to Creston Brewery for food and drinks and stay for a community drum jam in the taproom on Thursday, May 31, from 8-10pm. The evening will be facilitated by special guests Michael Markus and M'Bemba Bangoura!!! Bring your own drum or borrow one of mine. 

Michael Markus, president of Wula Drums, is a visionary and charismatic teacher of drum and dance throughout the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Michael is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of cultural arts and socioeconomic development in Guinea, West Africa, where he has based the production end of his company, Wula Drums, where authentically elegant and professional sounding drums are crafted. 

M'Bemba Bangoura has traveled the world as a performer and teacher of the djembe drum and African dance. He has been an integral part of the drum and dance scene nationwide since 1992, and is one of the prominent ambassadors of Guinean drum and dance. 

Creston Brewery. 1504 Plainfield Ave NE. Grand Rapids, MI. 49505

Native of Guinea, West Africa, M'Bemba Bangoura has been an integral part of the drum and dance scene nationwide since 1992. He has traveled the world as a performer and teacher of the djembe drum and African dance. Come to the Front Studio to take a djembe class with M'Bemba, one of the prominent ambassadors of Guinean drum and dance!  

$20. 5-7pm. 1110 Wealthy St SE. Grand Rapids, MI.

Creston Brewery will be hosting their second Djembe Spectacular, featuring out of town guests Michael Taylor from Chicago, IL, Famadou Collins from Flint, MI, and Abass Camara originally from Guinea, West Africa. West Michigan Jewels of Africa will perform, plus dancers Heather and Kama Mitchell from Rootead Studio in Kalamazoo. Local drummers Leah Ivory, Kevin Jones, Kurt Schmiege, Josh Dunigan, Kevin Clancy, Jarrod Napierkowski, Brandan Grinwis and Steven Wheeler will be IN THE HOUSE. Do not miss this high energy performance of traditional West African drum and dance!!!

Come to Kula Yoga to learn about West African dance with Leah Ivory. We'll warm up, learn some basic traditional moves, then put together a choreographed dance piece. West African dance builds arm, core, and leg strength, is highly aerobic, and contagiously fun!! No previous dance experience necessary.

133 Divison Avenue S #100, entrance at back of building

$30 // $15 for members

GRBossBabes…and any women who work part time, full time, freelance, own a business, or are simply seeking community...you are cordially invited to attend a women’s drum jam at Ambrosia Theater, located on the second floor of the Blackport Building on the corner of Lake and Diamond, 959 Lake Drive SE, Grand Rapids, MI. This FREE event will be facilitated by Leah Ivory, Tam Tam Mandingue Djembe Academy certified teacher. Come to meet each other, make connections, and play the djembe!! Please RSVP to Leah at leahivory@me.com to reserve your drum.

Come and drum with us as we celebrate Black History Month. We will learn about the role of drum and dance in West African village life, and we will play a traditional rhythm on the djembe. Bring the whole family! 

Neland Church, 940 Neland Avenue SE. Grand Rapids, MI. 

Come to Creston Brewery for food and drinks and stay for a community drum jam in the taproom on Thursday, Dec 21, from 8-10p. The evening will be facilitated by Leah Ivory, who will get things started by demonstrating and teaching a traditional rhythm from West Africa. 

Rhythm inherently connects us together. The multi-layered West African traditional rhythms rely on community - it takes many parts to create the complete rhythmic melody. And so, we build community when we play together. 

Bring your drum! Come and drum!

1504 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505.

Leah Ivory Drum and Dance performance at the Davenport College Intercultural Festival. 

6191 Kraft Ave SE. Sneden Center. 2-3p.

Come to Creston Brewery for food and drinks and stay for a community drum jam in the taproom on Wednesday, Nov. 15, from 8-10p. The evening will be facilitated by Leah Ivory, who will get things started by demonstrating and teaching a traditional rhythm from West Africa. 

Rhythm inherently connects us together. The multi-layered West African traditional rhythms rely on community - it takes many parts to create the complete rhythmic melody. And so, we build community when we play together. 

Bring your drum! Come and drum!

1504 Plainfield Ave NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49505.

On the night of the full harvest moon, come out and drum to celebrate the season! I will teach a traditional harvest rhythm from West Africa. Open to all levels of experience. Drums provided if you need one. 7-9p. Must register in advance. $20. Includes refreshments. 

Register through www.shamamagroup.com

10 East Bridge Street, Rockford, MI 49341

Free community drum jam at Neland Avenue Christian Reformed Church, 940 Neland Avenue SE, Grand Rapids, MI. Bring your drum or favorite rhythm instrument and play along! Drumming together is a wonderful way to experience community and get connected. All are welcome!

West African dance class with Leah Ivory, 11a-12:15p. Fantastic exercise accompanied by live drumming! $10/student. $15/adult. 

West African drum class with Michael Taylor, 12:30-1:45pm. Learn traditional rhythms from Tam Tam Mandingue Djembe Academy Senior Certified teacher Michael Taylor, one of the best keepers of the tradition in the USA! $10/student. $15/adult. 

Front St Studio, 1110 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids

*inquire about discounts for multiple family members and both classes 

**drums available to rent for $5. Must register in advance to reserve a drum. Contact Leah Ivory (leahivory@me.com) for more info or to register.

West African dance class with Leah Ivory, 12:00-1:15pm. Fantastic exercise accompanied by live drumming! $10/student. $15/adult.

West African drum class with Michael Taylor, 1:30-2:45pm. Learn traditional rhythms from Tam Tam Mandingue Djembe Academy Senior Certified teacher Michael Taylor, one of the best keepers of the tradition in the USA! $10/student. $15/adult.

Front St Studio, 1110 Wealthy St SE, Grand Rapids

*inquire about discounts for multiple family members and both classes

**drums available to rent for $5. Must register in advance to reserve a drum. Contact Leah Ivory (leahivory@me.com) for more info or to register.

Join Leah Ivory and Josh Dunigan at the Grand Rapids Children's Museum for a fun interactive drum and dance experience!

West African Dance class led by Leah Ivory, accompanied by live drumming featuring Michael Taylor: 10-11:15a ($10/student, $15/adult)
West African Drum class led by TTMDA Senior teacher Michael Taylor: 11:30a-12:45p ($10/student, $15/adult)
Classes held at the Home School Building, 5625 Burlingame Ave SW, Wyoming, MI. 49509.
*ask about discounts for multiple family members
*$5 drum rental. Must register in advance to reserve a drum.
Contact Leah Ivory to register!