The Wooden Roots Experience takes place from Friday 2nd to Sunday 4th August in Rendlesham and Snape Maltings.
Founded in Los Angeles and suppliers of bespoke djembes for Marvel Studios’ Black Panther movies, Wooden Roots have created a three-day programme with some of the best West African artists in the world.
Ticket prices start at around £60 for a child. Different packages are available; Gold, Silver and Bronze, which offer varying levels of access to activities throughout the weekend. Tickets for adults and children are available for three days, two days or one day.
For Gold ticket holders only, the weekend starts on Friday evening with ‘SMOKE N’Drums’, which includes food, plenty of drumming and an intimate meet and greet with the Experience artists.
Gold and Silver ticket holders attend workshops on Saturday and Sunday at Snape Maltings, and a Dununba Celebration on Saturday evening, which is a vibrant cultural event from countries including Guinea, Mali and Burkina Faso. It will include drumming, dancing and storytelling.
Bronze tickets are for one day only but people can buy add-ons for other activities.
A special Sunday night concert in Snape Maltings Concert Hall will bring the Wooden Roots Experience to a close, and is open to the public. Further details will be announced by Britten Pears Arts on 23rd April.
Advanced drummers can take part in sessions where they will learn the core fundamentals of the important relationship between West African drumming and dance. This will help participants deepen their practice.
Wooden Roots founder and leading djembe craftsman, Marcus Brown, explains: “The Wooden Roots Experience promises to be an exciting, dynamic, specialised event. We believe in inclusion, so we welcome participants from absolute beginners to highly skilled drummers. We’re incredibly proud to have some of the best globally renowned West African artists involved. I know that everyone will leave the weekend feeling inspired, uplifted and totally energised. As I like to say, it’s going to be fire!”
Drum teacher and lead artist Babara Bangoura Fakoly, adds: “I’m very excited about teaching throughout the weekend, and sharing the authentic nature of West African drums and drumming with people. It’s wonderful that Wooden Roots is offering people an exceptional quality experience in a beautiful setting. It’s going to be a great weekend! We truly encourage people of all ages, cultural backgrounds and ability to join us for this event.”
Dance teacher, Aida Diop, comments: “This year’s Experience includes sessions to help people connect and make sense of how West African drums and dance work together. The dancing will bring some wonderful vibes to an already wonderful weekend. It’s also an opportunity to gain a more authentic understanding of a dynamic artform.”
Fraser Wilson, Head of Performance and Public Engagement at Britten Pears Arts, says: “We’re delighted to be hosting the Wooden Roots Experience again which is a big, bold happening with exceptional artistic talent. We love supporting the event as it echoes our own reputation as an internationally recognised cultural organisation. Naturally, we encourage people to snap up tickets and be part of what is becoming an iconic weekend in rural Suffolk.”
For more information and to buy tickets, visit: https://www.woodenroots.com/wooden-roots-experience-august-2024.
