Events :: Denbaya West African Intensive
Denbaya West African Intensive
The BEST of West Africa here on Canada's West Coast!

September 3-6, 2010 — Labour Day Weekend
Camp Pringle, Shawnigan Lake
(2520 West Shawnigan Lake Road)
Join us for a DYNAMIC 4-day intensive including beginner & advanced workshops in West African drumming, dance, balafon and more! Live performances by instructors; an interactive doundounba (dance party); and a forum on contemporary African issues.

Online registration available. Please see Sample Schedule from 2009 for an idea of the workshops. Printable 2010 schedule, packing list & directions
Experience hands-on instruction by world renowned Guinean master dancers, drummers, and balafonists, including:
- Naby Camara — Lagni Sussu, Seattle
- N'Nato Camara — Explosion Africaine, Vancouver
- Manimou Camara — Dounia Djembe, Seattle
- Mohamed Duranteau — Wontanara Drum & Dance, Victoria
Children/spouses welcome. Non-participant fee applies.
Details:
Ways to Register | Fees | Meal Options | Instructor Bios | Area Info | Important Notes | Printable schedule, packing list & directions | Sample Class Schedule

Ways to Register
- By credit card: (closed).
- By cheque or money order: Submit form with no payment then get invoiced. Payable to MoonDance Arts, PO Box 439, Shawnigan Lake, BC V0R 2W0
Fees
- Full camp (all meals, accommodation, all lessons and t-shirt): $425 by June 3; $475 after June 3
- High ropes / low ropes / climbing wall $50
- Saturday only: $190 — 4 classes + 3 meals, including special GUINEAN DINNER, Cultural Forum, Doundounba & Dance Party!
Guinean Dinner, Cultural Forum, and Doundounba only: $30 ($55 for two: 10% discount; please inquire about larger groups) - Sunday only: $165 — 4 classes + 3 meals
- Saturday + Sunday: $325 — *10% discount
- Monday only: 2 classes + 2 meals: $75
- See below for individual meal and accommodation prices (when not part of a package deal)
Please note:
- full weekend non-accommodation rate available upon request.
- Please inquire if some variation of the above fits your schedule, however there is no non-meal rate.
- Paricipation must be confirmed prior to August 27th. Sorry, there is NO DROP-IN permitted.
Spaces are still available for the full weekend. Come immerse yourself in the cultural experience of staying with your instructors!
$475 for 11 classes + 9 meals + instructor demo + Doundounba + dance party + cultural forum + Guinean meal + Lake front accommodation!
Non-participant prices — meals + accommodation for non-participant (e.g. spouse or child):
- Guest day fee: $7.50 + meal costs: breakfast or lunch: $9, dinner: $11
- 2 and under are free; 3-5 yrs are half-price; over 5 pay regular day & meal fees
- Accommodation: free for age 2 and under; $15/night child (3-15); $20/night adult (16+)
Meal options
Choose from Regular, Vegetarian or Vegan.
If you have special dietary requirements for allergies, it is suggested that you speak directly with the Chef. Please provide a contact number in the "comments" section of the registration form) if you wish to be contacted regarding this.
2010 Instructor Bios
Our talented teaching staff will share their knowledge, skills, and passion for their Art during four packed days of workshops! (Click photos to enlarge)

Naby Camara
Juno award-winning percussionist from the African Guitar Summit, and the legendary National Ensemble of the Republic of Guinea, Naby's talents are not only balafon and djembe, but he is a skillful teacher as well.
(Lagni Sussu, Seattle)

N'nato Camara
Dynamite dancer, N'nato's credits include: Ballet Taille, Circus Baobob, and Aklysso.
(Explosion Africaine, Vancouver)

Manimou Camara
Through study and performance with prestigious artists and performance groups: Ballet Saamato, Merveille de Guinee, Sekou Sylla, Karamoko Daman, and Bolokada, Manimou has a wealth of knowledge and enthusiasm to share with students.
(Dounia Djembe, Seattle)

Mohamed (Andre) Duranteau
Talented dancer and singer, Mohamed's passion shows through in his teaching. Among his many credits: Le Ballet Taille, Aklysso, and Le Ballet Kali.
(Wontanara Drum & Dance, Victoria)
The Instruments: (click images to enlarge)
- Djembe: the typical hand-drum of West Africa and beyond! Wine-glass shaped shell with a goat skin, this versatile, penetrating instrument is often the Lead of the ensemble.
- Balafon: the ancestor of the xylophone, the balafon is the melodic 21-bar instrument of the Griots — the historians of West Africa.
- Douns: barrel shaped bass drum, played horizontally with a stick in one hand and often a bell is played on top of the drum with the other hand.



Area Info
For restaurants, things to do, alternate accommodation and other visitor info, visit ShawniganLakeOnline.com.
Important Notes

- No alcohol is allowed on site.
- No pets.
- Swimming is only permitted on-site during the times the lifeguard is on duty. If you would like to swim outside of these times, please go to the Provincial Park next door, or to one of Shawnigan's public beaches.
Sample Workshop Schedule (from 2009)
See descriptions of instruments
Friday September 4 | |
Arrive any time after 4:30pm | |
4:30-6:15pm | Office hours (Lynn) |
6:30pm | Dinner |
7:30pm | Performance/jam by the Instructors |
Saturday September 5 | |
7:15am–7:55am | Yoga / Meditation |
8:00am | Breakfast |
8:45-10:25am | Office is open (Amalia) |
9:00-10:15am | Workshop 1 — select from:
|
10:15–10:30am | Snack |
10:30-11:45am | Workshop 2 — select from:
|
12:00-1:00pm | Lunch |
12:45-2:45pm | Office is open (Julie) |
1:00-2:30pm | Workshop 3 — select from:
|
2:45-4:00pm | Workshop 4 — select from:
|
4:00-5:30pm | Free Time — swim (there is a life-guard on duty during this time), hike, private lessons, visit, practice, read... |
5:30-6:30pm | Guinean Dinner! |
5:30–7:30pm | Forum — West Africa, Multiculturalism, Arts (during dinner) |
7:30pm | Doundounba |
Sunday September 6 | |
7:15am–7:55am | Yoga / Meditation |
8:00am | Breakfast |
8:45-10:25am | Office is open (Amalia) |
9:00-10:15am | Workshop 1 — select from:
|
10:15–10:30am | Snack |
10:30-11:45am | Workshop 2 — select from:
|
12:00-1:00pm | Lunch |
12:45-2:45pm | Office is open (Julie) |
1:00-2:30pm | Workshop 3 — select from:
|
2:30-5:30pm | Free Time — swim (there is a life-guard on duty during this time), hike, private lessons, visit, practice, read... |
5:30-6:30pm | Dinner |
Monday September 7 | |
7:15am–7:55am | Yoga / Meditation |
8:00am | Breakfast |
9:00-10:15am | Workshop 1 — select from:
|
10:15–10:30am | Snack |
10:30-11:45am | Workshop 2, UNITY — select from:
|
12:00-1:00pm | Lunch |
Wrap up performances / swimming, etc. (lifeguard on duty 1:30–2:30pm) |