KATHY LUCAS | Kansai Girls Club Dance & Drum

PROFILE

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Kansai Girls Club is a women’s dance and drum group that was officially formed in May 2006 under the direction of Kathy Lucas. KGC strives to preserve the traditions of African dance and drum, while communicating modern forms of expression through movement, and music. KGC shares the belief that music and dance of all cultures has the power to transform lives. We are indebted to our master teachers who have shared with us the depth of African music and dance. From the fundamentals of playing a particular rhythm, to carefully observing the nuances of movement and its’ origins; KGC is a company which has a deep appreciation and respect for the process of learning. This group is dedicated to educating others by expressing the many intriguing connections that are found in music and dance throughout the world.

The group has performed for a variety of venues in Japan such as, Djembe dasami, Kansai dasami,
Mamady Keita’s welcome party, The Kobe Club, and most recently had the privilege to be taught by
and perform with world-renowned African masters, Mouminatou Camara of Les Ballets Africains, and
Mohamed Camara of Les Percussion de Guinee. Karamoko Camara of Les Merveilles also taught
workshops to KGC, and was the founder of the group’s signature piece: Doun doun dance.

Although KGC loves to entertain and perform, our greater interest is to continue sharing our knowledge,
individuality, love, respect, and the empowerment that African music and dance has had on us as women.

*If you are interested in arranging a performance, workshop, or outreach program with KGC, please feel free to contact me at:

kathy_africandance@yahoo.co.jp

Wassa Kunba

Wassa Kunba is a Co-operative Dance & Music Network of artists whose passion and exploration of music & dance creations extend far beyond performing. Wassa Kunba artists collaborate and perform based on the motivation to contribute towards helping young entrepreneurs who are involved in the KIVA organization. 'KIVA's mission is to connect people through lending, for the sake of alleviating poverty.'

http://www.kiva.org/about

Although many of the artists involved in Wassa Kunba have backgrounds in West African music and dance, artists of ALL cultural music & dance backgrounds are warmly encouraged, and welcomed to collaborate and become a part of this network. Our goal is to become artistically driven online lenders for the KIVA organization. A percentage of our performance salaries are used towards microfinancing responsible entrepreneurs of whom we develop relationships with through the journal and community forum that KIVA so brilliantly displays on their website.
As the founding member of Wassa Kunba Dance and Music Co-operative, Kathy Lucas carries the belief that art and service to global communities has the power to transform, transcend and empower lives. Her motivation to collaborate with like-minded artists led to the formation of Wassa Kunba. In the Malinke ethnic group of West Africa "Wassa Kunba" means, 'with great joy.'
Wassa Kunba dance!
Wassa Kunba drum!
Wassa Kunba give!