African Drum and Dance Ensemble to Present Spirited Performance and Cultural History

MIDDLETOWN, N.Y. – In celebration of Black History Month, SUNY Orange will welcome Sankofa, an African drum and dance ensemble, to both campuses, with performances set for Feb. 21 on the Newburgh campus and March 4 on the Middletown campus.

Sankofa, directed by acclaimed master drummer Maxwell Kofi Donkor, offers a spirited, joyful performance that will involve audience participation. Donkor will supplement the event with stories that explain Western African culture, as well as a sculpture exhibit.

Performances will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. both days, with Thursday’s Newburgh event planned for the Kaplan Hall Great Room and the Middletown event (March 4) set for the first floor of the Shepard Student Center. Admission is free.

For more information, contact Lorraine Lopez-Janove, SUNY Orange diversity coordinator, via email at lorraine.lopezjanove@sunyorange.edu.