The ladies of Marafanyi Percussion are delighted to report that after much preparation we staged, enjoyed and supported a marvelous artistic weekend in the Northern Berkshires on October 13/14! The town of North Adams, MA (where we maintain a studio base) came together in a big way for it's second annual Open Studios Tour to share art in the spirit of community. Marafanyi offered family workshops, student showcases and performances to the community at large. We have many kind folks to thank for this wonderful weekend so here we go . . . .
 
At Northern Berkshire Creative Arts (where we have been resident teaching artists for over 4 years) Marafanyi offered family workshops and student showcases. A big thank you to Executive Director, Rebecca Dewitt for her ongoing support. We are so proud of our Berkshire-Area core students (ranging from ages 6-50+!) who took the opportunity to showcase together with us and show off their progress and dedication to West African Drum & Dance! ANN, MARIBETH, NANCY, ALDONA, DANIEL, CARL, CHRISTINA, ALLEGRA and new friends MIRIAM & ADAM - YOU ROCKED OUR SOCKS OFF!  It was a divine pleasure to connect with artists Nova Rockwell (NBCA Co-President) and her husband Jarvis Rockwell (Norman's son!) - both exhibited work for the Tour at NBCA.

Marafanyi bounced from NBCA to HISTORIC BEAVER MILL, where we maintain a loft studio. Here we showcased our original music, works-in-progress and collaborations in the brand new MUSE MIX gallery/antiques/performance space. Big Shout Out to Lisa & Fran, musicians and owners, for accomodating Marafanyi so graciously - we look forward to presenting more shows with them! Beaver Mill was bursting with art and art lovers thanks to the collaborative efforts of those who dwell there. Special shout-outs to our fellow resident artists: Brandon Graving, Peter Shoeffer, Kendra Lichtenwalner, Ven Voisey, Thor Wickstrom, Gregg Kaliche & Cari B., Eric Rudd, Mark Mulherrin, Martha Flood (our point person extraordinaire) who helped to make the Mill hum & buzz thanks to their inspiring work! Visit www.northadamsopenstudios.com to learn more about them and ALL the artists involved in the Tour. Thanks also to Lara's sister, artist Barbara May, for passing through and doing live sketches of the shows.

We were blessed to have two highly skilled & talented musicians join us at Beaver Mill - master world musician Nana Simopoulis and multi-instrumentalist Lisa Gonzalez-Howell (another one of Lara's sisters!). It has been a pleasure collaborating with these ladies and God-willing there will be more music to come! Nana is not only an artist but also an entrepreneur who co-founded (with her partner, dancer and movement artist Caryn Heilman) Topia Arts Center, Cafe Topia, Topia Inn & Green Topia (recipient of the Berkshire Visitor Bureau's Annual 2007 Outstanding Achievement Award in Innovation and Renovation, CONGRATULATIONS!) all located in Adams, MA. The only missing piece was our favorite tap dancer, Stefanie Weber, who had a family emergency - we send her BIG LOVE.
 
Special thanks to Sharon Carson, Jonathan Secor, Jason Morin and John Sherman - key members of the Open Studios Tour Committee who were instrumental in making this year a huge success. Finally we shout out the town of North Adams and all the art lovers who came from near and far to make the weekend a great place for all to gather, create, relate and appreciate!

Much Gratitude,
Yael & Lara
Marafanyi Percussion
www.MySpace.com/MarafanyiPercussion
tel 877.904.2362 | email RootsHeartPulse@ureach.com