Help Preserve Traditional Dance and Music in Mali

Hi Friends,

We wanted to update you to let you know what is going on with Kono Gnaga as we enter the new school year and gear up for our next season. Solo went to Mali in June and laid the groundwork for the Kono Gnaga artists to start working in our three partner schools.  This will be our fifth year of working with schools in Bamako.  We anticipate being able to secure funding in order to add a fourth school, this time in a village outside of Bamako so we can make sure our impact goes beyond urban areas. As you may imagine working in the rural areas of Mali is not an easy task, but we are excited at this important initiave!  We will update you as we go forward.  

Another exciting development is that Solo and the artists will be working with an organization from the US, Artists To End Genocide, and teaching dance to children at a refugee/IDP camp in Bamako.  The situations these children live in is very difficult, and we know that the value the dance and music can bring to them will be immeasurable.  We are excited to have this opportunity and will share more information as it comes.  

In the meantime, please note these upcoming events:

• October 8th 12-5 - Join Solo for an afternoon of dance and drumming in Raleigh, North Carolina!! - Raleigh Brews and Mali Beats - @ Trophy Brewing Raleigh More info and tickets-  
• November 29 - Giving Tuesday matching campaign

And CHECK OUT  this short interview with one of the Kono Gnaga students, Fatoumata, as she talks about what learning the dances means to her! Video Interview

Thank you again for all of your support!! 

Solo Sana 

Zyck Baggett

and the Kono Gnaga Board of Directors