Ernest with Kumu Hula Jessi Jardin and Kauai's own African drumming ensemble, Love Tribe, performed at the Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center for the 2007 Grand Finale Ho'ike of Aloha Africa.

Aloha Africa 2006- 2007 Summary of Activities

  • Sent money to a master drummer, two dancers, and their families in
    Ghana to pay for food, medical bills, school fees, a funeral, and
    phone cards. Bought land for a family in Ghana.
  • Retained an Immigration lawyer to assist in applying for work
    permits and visas.
  • Bought 3 round-trip airline tickets from Ghana to Kauai.
  • Housed and fed 3 artists from Ghana in February 2007, and Master
    Drummer Ernest Borketey February through June.
  • Provided transportation.
  • Provided drums for teaching and performance.
  • Provided cell phone service for project administration and for Ernest.
  • Conducted public West African drumming and dance classes on Kauai.
  • Held classes and demonstrations in schools, culminating in
    performances with Darryl Miyasato's percussion class at Kauai High
    School and with Hanalei School, courtesy of the Stephen Stills
    Foundation.
  • Trained, rehearsed, and gave performances of authentic West African
    drumming and singing all over Kauai, from Hanapepe to Hanalei.
  • Entertained at weddings, birthdays, festivals, and other celebrations.
  • Participated in public service events, including Save Our Seas'
    Clean Oceans Conference, and the World Peace Meditation led by Kumu
    Hula Puna Kalama Dawson.
  • Conducted a cultural exchange project in which our guest artists
    studied Hula with Kumu Jessi Jardin and visited with Kumu Mauli Ola
    Cook and Kumu Roselle Bailey and their halaus.
  • Produced Ernest Borketey's first professional CD and DVD with Wild
    River Records, Wovenmedia Productions, and Storybook Theatre.
  • Raised funds for Ernest to build a house for his mother in Ghana
    and pay school fees for his son and younger siblings.
  • Videotaped the project and shared it with Kauai on Ho'ike Community
    Television, courtesy of Sol Man Productions.
  • Made the project accessible to the international public through the web site
    aloha-africa.com.

Now Available

CD Gye Nyame, (Only God)

Produced by Bruce Orth at Wild River Reocords.

DVD Ernest Borlabi Borketey: Invitation to Drumming.

Produced by Zak at Wovenmedia Productions

 

To purchase, please contact isa Maria:

isa@aloha-africa.com

 

Photo by Candace Freeland

Powered by Laughing Squid