Beatniks

African drum group to perform around the area warwick — The African drum group Sankofa will be performing around the area in February in celebration of Black History Month. In the villages in West Africa, drumming promotes personal and community awareness, while passing down the villages’ rich cultural heritage. Sankofa — the name means “going back to roots” in the Twi language of Ghana — was formed in 1997 from community drum circles in Allentown and Stroudsburg, Pa. The group is made of four drummers and three dancers led by Kofi Maxwell Donkor, an Asante prince from Ghana, and Yacin, a Wollof princess from Senegal. They teach authentic drumming and dance along with their historical and cultural origins. Teaching togetherness in diversity and empowerment of the individual, Sankofa performs at many schools around the region. The group uses drumming as therapy for youth at risk. They have performed at the 2006 United Nations Water Conference in Mexico City, Mexico; Pennsylvania Council on the Arts Folk Festival in Allentown, Pa; Indian summer Festival, Netcong, N.J.; Jazz Festival at the Delaware Water Gap, Pa.; International Festival and First Night at the Paramount Theatre in Middletown; Sussex County Farm and International Shows in Newton, N.J., and eight 9/11 benefits for the Red Cross and other nonprofit organizations. Donkor holds drumming classes every Thursday from 7:30 to 9 p.m. at the Interactive Museum, 23 Center St., Middletown. For more information or a complete schedule, call Sankofa at 845-355-8329 or 914-213-9789; e-mail kofi@bak2roots.com; or visit www.bak2roots.com. The schedule of local performances is as follows: • Feb. 16 — Drum and dance workshops celebrating black heritage at Mind and Spirit Yoga, 905 Pennsylvania Ave., in Matamoras, Pa., from 1 to 4 p.m. • Feb. 20 — Sarah Wells Girls Scouts’ “Celebrating Black History Month” at South Junior high School, Newburgh, from 6 to 7:30 p.m. • Feb. 23 — “Celebrating Black History Month” at Interactive Museum, 23 Center St., in Middletown, with workshops in drumming and dance from 2 to 4 p.m. • Feb. 25 — “Back to Roots” assemblies and workshops at Washingtonville High School, Washingtonville, from 7:45 a.m. to noon. • Feb. 29 — Assembly and workshops observing Black History Month at Pine Bush Middle School, Pine Bush, from 9 to 11:30 a.m. • Feb. 29 — Drum and Dance Workshops Celebrating Black Heritage at Judy’s Studio on Kings Highway, Warwick, from 7 to 9 p.m.