Some things are just worth repeating! And spending a hopping evening of yummy food, African drumming and dancing in the company of friends — young, old and in between — is one of them.
Last year, one of the ways St. Stephen’s celebrated Black History Month was with an interactive African drumming event, which started with us joining together to share a meal of African and Caribbean foods. We are a global community at St. Stephens, and the food that evening was prepared and presented by members of our BIPOC (Black, Indigenous and People of Colour) parish members and beyond. The food we enjoyed included Sadza from Zimbabwe, Caribbean beef and chicken stews, jollof rice, fried plantain and, of course, several desserts.
After dinner, the tables were pushed back, and the floor was opened up to the drumming world of Sadio Sissoko. A multi-talented African musician originally from Senegal, Sadio has lived in Montreal for many years. Sadio brought at least 30 drums of different sizes with him and as he led the music, he encouraged us to either use the drums, slap our thighs or clap to the rhythms. By the end, there was a lot of dancing too. We had so much fun, we asked him to come back.
Do consider joining us at this year’s Drumming Extravaganza. Bring your loved ones for a special Valentine’s celebration. Celebrate love and heritage in a memorable way. It is a perfect way to honour Black History Month while enjoying delicious dishes from African and Caribbean traditions and an evening of beautiful music and rhythms.
Come for 5:30 pm on Feb. 14. Dinner will be at 6 pm, and the drumming will start at 7 pm.
Please call the church office at 613 828-2472 or email [email protected] to reserve a spot as we would like to keep tabs on numbers coming so we can prepare enough food.
Le repentir : Le chemin de la vie