RGA's First Grade

RGA's First Grade classes went last Thursday to the American Museum of Natural History to participate in "Poly-Rhythmic Explorations with David Pleasant/NowGriot!," an African American Heritage Month special program. The kids and teachers were invited up onto the stage by Pleasant, a multi-faceted percussion virtuoso and rhythm-effects vocalist, for a performance highlighting the history of African-American music traditions. Pleasant demonstrated the unique percussion approaches of Gullah/Geechee (Ring Shout, ring play, Juba, hand jive, tambourine, Janissary, hambone, banjo/banja, rhap etc.) that predate other acknowledged styles. The hands-on, intensive music performance incorporated poly rhythms, voice, tap and alternate improvisation with choreography for an exciting historic journey for the 1A and 1B kids, parents and faculty into the “shout.” As a prelude to the performance, the kids broke into small groups for hands-on explorations of the Hall of African Mammals, where they touched a shield made of rhinoceros leather, an ostrich egg, a gazelle horn, and even a lion's skull.
(Photo: Roberta Berman)