International Dance & Music Festival/ Day of the Drum

WorldBeat Center and World Music presents International Dance & Music Festival/ Day of the Drum, dedicated to Mariam Makiba. We'll be featuring the Legendary Thomas Mapfumo from Zimbabwe, Super Sonic Samba School (Brazilian Samba), San Diego Taiko (Japanese Drumming), Red Warrior (Native American), Mexica Dancers (Aztec-Mexican), Bolga Zohdooma (Ghanaian), Gamelan Giri Nata (Indonesian Dance and Gamelan), CWM Odissa Dance School (East Indian Dance) and more!


Our 15th annual WorldBeat International Dance & Music Festival is dedicated to Miriam Makeba, also known as Mama Africa. South African native, Miriam dedicated her life to singing and civil rights activism. She was exiled from her country for 30 years due to her commitment to activism and Pan-Africanism, a movement which seeks to unify both native Africans and those of the African diaspora. Her music dealt with the political plight of black South Africans under apartheid. She died on the 9th of November, 2008, after performing her hit song, "Pata Pata."

This day is also the day of the drum. In colonial times, the drum was taken away from slaves due to its use in ritual activities. The drum is a universal instrument which connects all cultures as it is significant in all; it is the beat of the heart.


Thomas Mapfumo, also known as "The Lion of Zimbabwe," will join us on this celebration. He is known for the political influence he wields through his music. Mapfumo both created and made popular Chimurenga music, a Shona language word for struggle.

Amongst the multi-cultural amalgamations of this day, WorldBeat International Dance & Music attracts local and international vendors worldwide to share their tasty cuisines, exotic crafts and artisan work.

WorldBeat International Dance & Music Festival is a great way to unite dancers, musicians, artisans, students, teachers, immigrants, refugees, activists and all other community members in sharing their culture. The goals are to increase awareness and the importance of dance and music among the general public, as well as to persuade governments all over the world to provide a proper place for dance and music in all systems of education. The aim is to have a cultural exchange and understanding between the community and countries of the world.