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  NEWS

 The Djembe Kan Project

 Albany’s Down South Festival committee are excited about inviting you along to meet this year’s highly talented artists, Mohamed Bangoura (West Africa), Freddy Poncin (Amsterdam) & local Paul Raven who will be presenting workshops & performances in traditional African percussion. The Djembe Kan Project is your chance to learn skills, rhythms & techniques in the art of African drumming from master drummer & teacher Mohamed Bangoura through his traditional cultural presentations.

If you have your own djembe, dounoun or shakers, bring them along. Instruments will be provided for those without their own. The FREE community workshop will be held at Vancouver Arts Centre, Tuesday 7^th November 2006 between at 7 & 9pm. Bookings are essential. Please register your interest by e-mail dsf @ omninet.net.au before October 31^st.

 For those of you who just can’t get enough & become infected with the desire to participate further, there will be an opportunity to join with the artists and share your passion in community workshops & performances at the Down South Festival on Friday 10th & Saturday 11^th November 2006. Join us for a very rewarding experience.

 Attention schools! From Monday 6^th through Thursday 9^th November 2006, The Djembe Kan Project will be visiting participating schools in our region, providing workshops & performances for students.

If your school would like to be included in this project, all you need to do is register your interest by contacting us before October 13^th.

Bush Poet’s Breakfast

In 2005 Down South Festival introduced a Bush Poet’s Breakfast to its program and we were amazed at the popularity of the segment. In 2006 an even bigger crowd is expected and plans are well underway to keep our patrons happy with more room, more seats, more poets and more breakfasts.

School awards

Recipients of our School awards in 2005 were: Albany Senior High School – Casio PX 100 Digital Piano, Spencer Park Primary School – 3 hrs recording time at Uptown Music Studio and St Joseph’s College – 3 hrs recording time at Uptown Music Studio.

What to wear

If you're wondering what to wear to the festival, then go with your creative side and be really imaginative. With an eclectic array of artists & influences, the dress code is FUNKY FESTIVAL.  2006 is going to be another great festival of fun for the whole family, so go wild or wacky & dare to be different with your dress!! Who knows, your photo may end up being included on our web page.