“We Are Stronger” – Lyrics

Lakewood Childhood Development Center 3/30/09

today i performed with the West African Ensemble “Pan Africa”, which features Master African Drummer Dramane Kone of Burkina Faso, for the Arts Education Series at the Lakewood Child Development Center in Lakewood, CA. this video is just one of the two performances we provided for the pre school students, parents, and faculty.

this performance is part of our ongoing efforts to educate children of all ages of the music and rhythms of West Africa.

Dramane Kone is a Griot from the famous Kone family of Burkina Faso and Mali. a Griot is a West African poet, praise singer, and wandering musician, considered a repository of oral tradition. it is very rare to have a Griot in Southern California, as we are honored to share his knowledge and energy to many children and adults in this area. the tradition and knowledge Dramane shares with us has been handed down, generation to generation, for more than 1000 years.

on a personal note…

this particular video brings a smile to my face.

later this day, on a public on-line forum , i was told by a local “arts advocate” in my city that i needed to “get involved” and stop standing “on the sidelines” in regards to participating with the arts in my area. he went on to say that i should “roll up my sleeves” and make a change since “talk is cheap” and it is “the action that is very expensive”. this was in response to the fact that i did not attend a local arts “meeting/discussion” in regards to creating art in our area.

yup.
hes got me pegged.
its easy to see by looking at this video, i dont get a chance to participate in any art related forums in my area.

can you see the perfection in my day? 🙂

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my thanx to Master Drummer and Griot Dramane Kone for providing us with his talents, and for allowing us to educate the children in our area.

more videos to come soon, as we are booked in many different schools and forums in the area.

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if you would like to have Pan Africa perform for your school, business, event, or party, please let us know. we are always happy to be of service.

Pan Africa
(562)989-1060
steelparade@steelparade.com

peace…

Phil

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mission viejo, ca – 3/8/09

today we performed for an afternoon brunch at the Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club, in Mission Viejo, CA.

we arrived early, so Gabe ran the Losi-LS2 Mini Truck around the parking lot for a few minutes.

Phil was pretty enthusiastic to play steel drum and sing today!

Gabe played djembe, as well as bass and vocals.

another relaxing day at the Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club.

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trini party 3/1/09

today we performed for a private birthday party in Wesminster, CA.

the party was for a family originally from Trinidad, so there was lots of dancing, singing, and good food!

Gabe played bass and sang.

today’s view of “Phil from the steel pan”

we were given gifts of Kurma and Island Fruit Cake……..delicious!

another fun afternoon in the sun!

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surf and sand 2/25/09

tonight we performed for a private function at the Surf and Sand Resort in Laguna Beach, CA.

Phil was ready to play!

Gabe drummin and singin.

Chris on bass and vocals.

Phil from the pan.

out thanx to Michelle Frank and her staff at the Surf and Sand Resort!

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arroyo trabuco 2/22/09

today we performed for a Sunday Brunch at the Arroyo Trabuco Country Club in Mission Viejo, CA.

Phil from the pan

Gabe on bass and vocals

it was this Beautiful Woman’s birthday!

another laid back afternoon at the Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club.

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aliso viejo 2/21/09

tonight we performed for a Surprise Birthday Party in Aliso Viejo, CA.

Phil on the pan and vocals

Chris on the pretty red bass

Gabe on drums

Joe on the djembe

Steel Parade

Phil and the Birthday Girl.

fun night in Aliso Viejo!

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brea olinda high school 2/16/09

this is a strange video.

Gabe the drummer suggested i shoot a video showing a little more than our typical pics of us performing……sort of a “day in the life” type of theme.

we perform everywhere, and everywhere we go is a new eating adventure. visiting the local restaurants is as much of the gig as is the actual performance.

this was my first attempt, and its a bit silly.

enjoy!

our thanx to Pam Valenti for having us perform today.

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arroyo trabuco 2/15/09

today we performed as a duo at the Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, CA.
every so often we do these kind of laid back duo background type of events. Sunday brunch. just makin some music.

Phil from the pan

Gabe on the bass and vocals

our thanx to the staff at the Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club.

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laguna hills 2/14/09

today we performed for a private event in Laguna Hills, CA.
it didnt rain, but it was cooooold!
we still had fun!

Phil on the pan and vocals.

Gabe on drums and vocals

This is a photo of Chris Roy the bass player, about 5 minutes after we finished. it was so cold today that Chris didnt waste any time getting in his truck and turning on the heater!

our thanks to Cynthia Bakshy at GTP Productions for another fun event!

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