Like Water Drum and Dance profile picture

Like Water Drum and Dance

Music, like water, to the Roots of your Soul

About Me

Like Water MUSTS
ILLYMANYA Like Water Film - Trailer
Drum and Dance Classes
Like Water News (pdf)
Like Water Guinea Trip
Sound
Like Water Drum and Dance presents intricate melodies projected with drums invented in ancient West African cultures. Deeply pitched, cylindrical cowskinned dununs pound a rhythmic core, while goblet-shaped, goatskinned djembes punch high-pitched solos and thrilling accents into each drum piece. Performances feature authentic, traditional compositions from Guinea with some original modifications inspired by other afro-beat rhythms worldwide.
Sight
Like Water Drum and Dance bedazzles audiences in outlandish, colorful costumes inspired by traditional West African designs. Dancer outfits emphasize dance motions, vigor, and intent. Drummer costumes entertain to match. With 10 artists bringing wild movements and interactions to the stage, Like Water shows leave you feeling elated, delighted and awed!
History
Like Water Drum & Dance was founded by Ryan Edwards in September of 2000. Now 12 members strong, the groups' 6 drummers and 6 dancers weave talents into coordinated performances designed to engage audiences. No single performer makes the show; both drummers and dancers embellish the group identity. This is a truly athletic art form guaranteed to make your heart race! All performers maintain a rigorous rehearsing schedule in pursuit of artistic excellence.
Drummers
The drummers attentively service the dance performance. These drum and dance pieces were originally created to motivate workers, celebrate occasions, and teach lessons. Like Water’s drummers deliver this message by accentuating and accelerating the dancing artists! Watch hands fly as these talented percussionists drum inspirational performances with wide smiles and open hearts. Drummers are directed by Ryan Edwards, who lives and studies for four weeks each year with gifted cultural teachers in Guinea.
Want to go with Ryan?
Dancers
The dancers of Like Water Drum and Dance incorporate a wide range of dance in their compositions: from extensive African dance study in America and in Africa, to hip-hop, modern, jazz, and competitive team dance. Dancers are the physical expression of the music just as the music is an audible expression of their dance. Evocative choreographies and formations built with distinct, individual dancer styles guarantee a powerful, sharp and captivating visual. Dancers are directed by Dori Edwards and Julie Kouyate.
Check out drum and dance classes near you!
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My Interests

Music:

Member Since: 1/10/2007
Band Website: likewaterdrumanddance.com
Band Members: Ryan Edwards
Dori Edwards
Nicki Zahm
Nicole Gomez
Sundance Livingwaters
Jaclyn Morrow
Tom Macowicz
Bob Leidel
Milla Sylla
Pete Esselman

Pictures of Performers

Like Water dancers in formation!
High to low: Jaclyn, Sandy, Heather, Nikki, Julie, Dori, Jenabah

Performance at Magdalena's Tea House
L to R: Ryan Edwards and Tom Machowicz

Youth Hand Drumming Camp 2008
Influences: ILLYMANYA

Like Water Drum and Dance showcases traditional music from Guinea in West Africa. Its co-company Like Water Drumworks owns a camp outside of Kindia. Organized educational trips every year study with drum and dance teachers.

View our movie trailer!
Developed by Josh and Nick of Reel Insyte in Olympia, WA.

Pictures of Africa

Our teachers, Ballet Watafre

Lodging in Illymanya!

Taking watermelons to Rume in Guinea, 2006.

Sounds Like: West African artists:
Famadou Konate
Mamady Kieta
Keletigi Diabate
Baba Tunde Olatunji
Fode Oulare
Alpha Blondy
Youssou N’Door
Salif Keita

Groups:
Les Ballets Africains
Les Etoiles de Boulibinet
Farafina
Ozomatli
Les Espoirs de Corinthe
Beat the Donkey
ABDM
Watafre
Magbana

Record Label: Like Water Records
Type of Label: Indie

My Blog

Dununba Class with Milla Sylla!

Where: Wild Swan Theater 410 S Maple, Ann Arbor, MIWhen: 11am-2 pm May 18, June 29Who: Milla Sylla For 25 years, Milla has played the traditional music of his native West Africa. He is from Conakry,...
Posted by Like Water Drum and Dance on Wed, 07 May 2008 11:45:00 PST

Like Water Youth Hand Drumming Camp

7th Annual Youth Hand Drumming Summer Camp June 16-20 2008, 9-12:30 pm (notice longer hours) Presented by Like Water Drumworks, this camp will introduce students to basic hand drumming techniques, tra...
Posted by Like Water Drum and Dance on Wed, 07 May 2008 11:44:00 PST