Dedicated to Baba AdeBisi Adeleke, the master Yoruba talking drummer
Early bird classes available until Sept. 2
Program
@ Little Five Points Center for the Arts and the Community (L5PCAC)
Classes
11am - 12pm: Brazilian dance
12pm - 1pm: Haitian dance
1pm - 2pm: Yoruba dance
6pm - 7:30pm: Mett the artists reception
vendor option available from 11am to 7pm
@ 7 Stages Theater
Concert
4pm
FYI: Note that 7 stage is not far from the L5PCAC (5 minutes walk). Click on the link here to get more info about the venue (direction, parking and food)
THE 26TH OSUN FESTIVAL FAQ
Remembering Baba Bisi
Extract from the obituary of the Celebration of life (text and picture)
Baba Bisi, a fourth generation Yoruba master talking drummer of Nigeria, has been an integral part of MANGA‘s Annual Osun Festival for over 23 years. During the past many decades Baba Bisi has been dedicated to helping others understand the powerful role of the drum within the African culture. Bisi Adeleke was born in Ila-Orangun, Osun State Nigeria, one of the oldest cultural towns in Yorubaland. Adebisi emerged as a prolific drummer from the Palace of Oba Williams Ayeni who recommended him as a drummer to one of West Africa's most respected theatrical companies led by Chief Duro lapido. Adebisi was with the troupe for many years at Mabari Mbayo, in Osogbo, representing Nigeria in many international cultural events.
Adebisi later moved on to the Polytechnic College in Ibadan, as instructor of drums and dance, specializing in the dundun (talking drum). After a few years at the Polytechnic, he joined the University of Ibadan's School of Drama. While there, he performed with Dr. Adedeji's group, Flash of the Spirit, which toured the United States.
Baba Bisi' s bembe drum
Adebisi Adeleke ( also known as Baba Bisi) traveled to the United States to join the African Cultural Dance Company of Atlanta, Georgia in the early 90's. Upon his arrival, Baba Bisi shared his cultural and artistic talents, knowledge, and skills as a performer with various groups, institutions, and individuals. He also shared his knowledge via consultations with authors of books and dissertations regarding the African culture and the Yoruba Talking Drum.
Adebisi's knowledge was shared with the community as a lead performer with the African Cultural Dance Company of Atlanta, Georgia for over 30 years. In 2005, the Heritage Drummers was created by Adebisi Adeleke and Alani Ogunlade, which lead to the production of the CD, Ayo Yio O ("the Journey".)
Adebisi performed with the National Black Arts Festival for several years and during the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta. He was also an integral part of the Manga African Dance company's annual Osun festival for over 23 years (Atlanta, Georgia). In 2001, Baba Bisi participated in a tape-recorded interview for the Georgia Council for the Arts' Folklike Program. His recordings were donated to the Georgia Council for the Arts' Folklike Program archive in Atlanta, Georgia, to be accessed for the use of students, teachers, and researchers interested in the folklife of Georgia. He presented many programs for multiple organizations, including the Hammond House, Apex Museum, Fulton Arts Council, as well as the Young Audiences, and the African World Festival, Milwaukee. WI.
Baba Bisi was featured in the movie, Kongi's Harvest (1970) by Wole Soyinka (: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E8ET-RRvYWU&t=747s
Acknowledgement
We would like to acknowledge our supports.
Georgia Council for the Arts: "This program is supported in part by Georgia Council for the Arts through the appropriations of theGeorgia General Assembly. Georgia Council for the Arts also receives support from its partner agency
- the National Endowment for the Arts."
Futlon County for the Arts and the Fulton County Bord of Commissioners: Funding for this program is provided by the Fulton County Board of Commissioner.
Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta: Funding provided (or funded in part) by a grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Atlanta.
City of Atlanta, Mayor's Office of Cultural Affaires: "This program is supported in part by the City of Atlanta Mayor’s Office of Cultural Affairs"