Bringing BoumBoum into your youth or community group to give a workshop can be a fun and stimulating way to inspire confidence in your members. People often discover a new voice, and working together to create the rhythms is a fantastic group activity which strengthens social and communication skills.

''It was a real pleasure to work with you, and although it was a small group the young women who took part really enjoyed the workshop. In fact I think they were completely inspired. Thank you for your energy and enthusiasm.'' Cornwall WRSAC

Open class, Penzance, Humphry Davy School

BoumBoum runs regular West African drumming workshops, teaching traditional Malinke rhythms on djembes and doundouns.

Classes are held in Penzance in the Drama Hall, Humphry Davy School on Coombe Road, at beginners and improvers level.

From Thursday March 6th,  Amanda Pickering  and Claire Simpson will be running a combined beginners/improvers class, working in conjunction with Hannah Turk-Richards who will be teaching West-African based dance. The class will cater for all levels - beginners will work with Claire to get familiar with djembe and doundoun technique, the support patterns, calls and breaks. Improvers and advanced players will focus on traditional and individual solos, advanced technique, and playing for the dancers.

All rhythms taught are Malinke, with instruments including kodo kodo, balafon, gongoma, bolon, as well as the djembe and doundouns.

Everyone is welcome, drums are available to use, cost for either class is £4.50. Turn up on the night, or contact us for more info. A performance band, Kookoojii, is developing from the classes - again, for information please get in touch.

Stop press! workshop in Penzance with Iya Sako, Sunday 18th May 2008

We are delighted to welcome Iya back to Penzance for another day of Malinke rhythms from a skilled and patient teacher. Iya is the djembefola of his village in Guinea, widely experienced in teaching and performance, and always gives a great day.

Cost £30/£25 concessions - please contact Amanda at BoumBoum on 07751 786315, or at boumboum@boumboum.co.uk to book your place.

Stop press! trip to Guinea 2008

BoumBoum is working with our good friend and amazing djembefola Iya Sako to lead a trip to Guinea, home of Malinke drumming, in December 2008. The trip will involve staying for three weeks in Kankan to study the Malinke tradition with Iya, plus a week living in his village, Samakofadda, to see, hear and play the djembe in its original setting.

If you're interested in joining us, please contact us as early as possible, as spaces are limited. This is an extraordinary opportunity to visit the heart of Malinke music, and to learn from a djembe master!

Penwith Djembefolas

From Autumn 2007, BoumBoum will be leading a Penwith youth djembe group. Djembefola, for under 18s, based at Penwith Music Centre, Humphry Davy School in Penzance. The School has had 30 drums built for the project, by makers in Dakar, Senegal. The group is open to anyone under 18 who'd like to be involved, from anywhere in the county - please contact us if you'd like more information.

Scummow Band Golowan Festival

 Penzance 2004

Mory 'Iya' Sako

BoumBoum community class