Ecstatic Dance LIVE @ Ashkenaz with The Dogon Lights

THE BAY AREA'S LEGENDARY PSYCHEDELIC AFRO- FUSION BAND. This is a Free Movement Space - You are Encouraged to use this Music as Medicine for the Body, and Inspiration for Spirit. No Judgement. Just Communion. THE DOGON LIGHTS Pronounced "Doe-Gone, The Dogon Lights is an Afro- galactic groove machine from the Bay Area. The Dogon Lights create an infectious and energetic dance atmosphere that takes the listener straight to the stars. They use traditional skin and wood instruments, blended with electro hip hop beats and Jimi Hendrix inspired guitar. Ecstatic Dance LIVE @ Ashkenaz 7:30pm Doors 8:00pm Free Movement Class - "Deepening Sensation Movement Meditation" with Liza Bender 9:00pm The Dogon Lights 11pm - 12am Social Jam (hang) Ashkenaz Music & Dance Community Center 1317 San Pablo Ave. Berkeley, CA $15 door or Sweet's (Weds/Sun) Pass This is an Alcohol Free Dance Space Ashkenaz has agreed to turn off the taps until the music is over and the circle is complete. Kombucha & Coconut water are available during the show. Beer & wine may be enjoyed at the Social Jam, after the dance. Thank You for Understanding. May we all be accepted for ourselves, however we are, however we move when we're feeling the music...! The Dogon Lights combine a blend of styles that is fresh and instantly recognizable. The Dogon Lights utilizes a unique blend of instruments such as the Sintir and Guimbri from Morocco, the Kamale Ngoni, (similar to the Kora) from Mali and Burkina Faso, Calabash and Djembe of West Africa, with Electric Bass, Guitar, Synthesizer, Drums, Sax and Flute. The word, "Dogon" comes from the Dogon people of Mali. The Dogon Lights have opened up for grammy winning artists Tinariwen from Mali as well as Bombino from Niger. Members The band features members of the award winning band Hamsa Lila (Vir McCoy, Evan Fraser) with renowned djembe player Bongo Sidibe and Cuban vocalist Jaqeline Laporte. Vir McCoy ( Hamsa Lila, Mickey Hart,) plays the camel skinned Sintir (a traditional instrument of the Gnawa of Morocco) and the goat skinned gimbri (traditional Moroccan Berber and arabic instrument), Djeli-ngoni (Malian lute) as well as Electric Bass and Guitar. Evan Fraser (Hamsa Lila, Dirtwire, Stellamara) plays Kamale Ngoni, Kalimba, Illimba, Berimbau, Calabash, Zabumba, Ney, Jaw Harp, Slide Guitar, Synthesizer and just about everything else you could imagine. Bongo Sidibe is a native of Guinea, and a master Djembe drummer. A well known San Francisco teacher and performer Bongo adds his rhythmic fire to the mix. Bongo adds his vocals for traditional and original songs. Yaqueline Laport, A native of Cuba brings her spirited soul vocals with a hint of Reggaton to the mix. Yaqui is also an incredible dancer. Troy Lush, a gifted singer songwriter in his own rite, brings his brilliant guitar playing. SPECIAL GUESTS: Ian “Inkx” Herman (Paul Simon, Sting, Mickey Hart, Hamsa Lila), a native of South Africa, plays traps laying down an irresistibly funky rhythmic bottom like a freight train coming through the jungle... Yacouba Diarra, A native of Burkina Faso plays the Kamale Ngoni, the petatonic or “hunters harp” used in traditional hunting ceremonies or trance music from the Wassalou region of Mali. Yacouba’s soaring and inspiring vocals take the listener straight to the desert and when he plays he is like the Jimi Hendrix of Ngoni. Yacouba is the founder and teacher of the Dogon Lights. John Schroeder (Dr. Abacus, Hamsa Lila) plays Saxophone, Flutes, Rhaita (traditional horn of Morocco) and Synthesizers. Kwic Time (Royal Family) is a unique and soulful hip-hop drummer and native of Oakland.