Musicians, artists entertain students to close out Black History Month

Musicians, artists and entertainers closed out Black History Month on Friday with stirring performances at Southwest, Southwest PreK, East and Northeast campuses.

Southwest PK Center had KoumanKe'le' African Drum & Dance Ensemble led by Christina Gerad. The group presented an educational performance that included African dance and drumming. The children learned authentic South African songs and stories.

The Southwest Campus had two programs. Kindergarten through second grade students were entertained by the all youth male drummers from Sehah Youth and Fitness Center. The boys performed drumming on djembe drums and entertained the students with drum solos. Baba Shango from Sehah taught the children a call and response, a succession of two distinct phrases, used in west Africa.

 

The third through fifth graders were entertained  by All Real Radio, which educated the children through music past and present. Swatara Olushoa taught the children the history of the Black National Anthem and then sang the anthem.

Northeast Campus students participated in an African Dance workshop with Impande Ye Africa.  The group is from South Africa and provided our students a lesson about music, dance, language and countries in South Africa.

At East Campus, drummer Bubbha Thomas and his band gave a brief history of jazz and blended it with poetry and music. Their "Jazz Education" program energized the students, some of whom were selected to participate in creating the music.

It was a great way to cap Black History Month.

Friday was also Go Texan Day, a Texan tradition to build awareness of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo as many students came to school dressed in Western attire. Go Texan Day, according to the rodeo news release, "challenges schools, businesses, organizations and clubs to participate in a one-day event that will build pride in our Texas and Western heritage throughout the Houston and surrounding areas.