SU-CASA 2024
A Celebration of Mande Music from Guinea, West Africa
Irene Koloseus, along with musicians Andy Algire and Niko Diarra-Koloseus, have been teaching West African Mande Music, played on djembes and balafons, to seniors at the Vandalia Older Adult Center.
Creative aging through music recognizes and honors the emotional, cognitive, and social benefits for older adults engaged in musical programming through lessons, workshops, and interactive concerts.
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MANDE MUSIC
The Mande Empire, founded eight centuries ago and spanning modern-day Mali and Guinea, bequeathed a rich musical legacy. This legacy was preserved by generations of griots (traditional musicians and singers) who orally handed down the traditions of Mande culture and history.
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Irene Koloseus and members of her group Feraba taught the electrifying rhythms, songs, and melodies from Guinea, West Africa. Traditional instruments such as balafons (wooden xylophones), djembe drums, shakers, and doun douns were provided, allowing seniors to experience the rich culture of Mande music firsthand.
About Su-Casa
SU-CASA is a collaboration among the New York City Council, the Department of Cultural Affairs, the Department for the Aging, and the city's five local arts councils.
This program is supported by public funds from the New York City Council in partnership with the Department of Cultural Affairs and the Department for the Aging.
West African percussion
SU-CASA 2023
Irene Koloseus, Andy Algire, and Ibrahima Kolipe Camara, all members of Feraba-ART, led engaging weekly drum workshops at the Narrow Older Adult Center in Brooklyn.
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Participants, ranging in age from 65 to 92, enthusiastically explored the rich traditions of West African music. Over the course of the program, they mastered five traditional rhythms, culminating in a vibrant performance that celebrated their dedication and newly acquired skills.
