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February 26, 2020 4:00–6:00 pm
Living Arts Collective, 410 W Geer St, Durham, NC 27701
Special Topics

Gnawa LanGus: A Duke Performances Collaboration

Taught by Gnawa Langus

About the Workshop

Played with percussive instruments, Qarqaba (large iron castanets), polyrhythmic clapping, and a three-stringed, bass lute-like sintir — Gnawa music draws on an abundant African-Islam history of ritualistic music believed to heal people possessed by jinn, or spirits.

Join Gnawa LanGus, fronted by GRAMMY-nominated musician Samir LanGus, on Wednesday, February 26 for a free community workshop on the indigenous music and dance traditions of Morocco and North Africa. Open to all levels of ability.

About the Instructor

Gnawa LanGus, fronted by GRAMMY-nominated musician Samir LanGus, fuses the raw hypnotic power of the centuries-old Moroccan Gnawa tradition with Berber, Indian, Saharan, and Flamenco music.

This spring, the ensemble joins for a weeklong residency as part of Duke Performances ongoing Building Bridges: Muslims in America series, a joint initiative with the Duke Islamic Studies Center and Duke Middle East Studies Center. Funded by the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art and the National Endowment for the Arts, the three-year project seeks to strengthen understanding between Muslim and non-Muslim communities in the Durham area. Gnawa Langus is one of several US-based artists/ensembles who, between Spring 2018 and Spring 2020, are making visits to Duke classrooms and local public schools with the aim of fostering understanding, respect, and dialogue around Muslim art and culture.

About the Location

This workshop will meet at the Living Arts Collective, located in the Trotter Building in downtown Durham.

Address: 410 W Geer St, Durham, NC 27701

Supported by

About DukeCreate

DukeCreate is a series of free, hands-on arts workshops designed to help Duke students, staff, and faculty develop a variety of creative skills. Workshops are open to all skill levels and backgrounds. Most take place in the Duke Arts Annex or the Rubenstein Arts Center and are typically held weeknights 6-8pm.

Workshops are free to all Duke students and staff, with priority given to students. Class size is limited. Students must sign up in advance. Registration for the following week’s DukeCreate workshops goes live on Friday mornings – sign up in advance to guarantee your spot!  Online enrollment for Duke staff opens on the day of the workshop. Staff can also show up 10 minutes prior to a workshop in case a slot becomes available. Walk-ins will be accommodated on a space-available basis.

DukeCreate is sponsored by the Office of the Vice Provost for the Arts (DukeArts) and University Center Activities and Events (UCAE).