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Master Percussionist Aboubacar Sylla and Bramaya West African Drum and Dance Ensemble Present:First AFRICA TO AUSTIN FESTIVAL!
NOVEMBER 6 TO 8, 2026
AUSTIN, TEXAS
AFRICA TO AUSTIN FESTIVAL 2026
NOVEMBER 6 TO 8, 2026 (Friday to Sunday)
Ancient rhythms. Living traditions. One unforgettable weekend!
Join Master West African Percussionist Aboubacar Sylla and Bramaya West African Drum and Dance Ensemble for a landmark celebration of African and African diaspora art forms — three days of live performances, drum and dance workshops, and community gathering in the heart of Austin!
Africa to Austin Festival 2026 marks the first time Austin has hosted a West African drum and dance conference of this scale — bringing together master artists from Guinea, Zimbabwe, and Ivory Coast to teach, perform, and share the living culture of African musical traditions with the Austin community.
The celebration begins Friday, November 6 with our Opening Night Performance at the Boyd Vance Theater, at George Washington Carver Museum and Cultural Center — Austin's first museum dedicated to African American history and culture, and the perfect home for this weekend of heritage and joy!
Over three extraordinary days, our guest master artists will take the stage and lead workshops alongside Austin groups Austin Samba and Tambores del Pueblo, representing Brazil and Puerto Rico, a living testament to how Africa's rhythms traveled the world and transformed in new lands.
This is a weekend for all of Austin, its visitors, and the African Drum and Dance Community all over the country and the world!
EVERYBODY IS WELCOME!!
https://www.bramayamusic.com/africa-to-austin-festival-2026
Email us at: [email protected]
ARTISTS/PERFORMERS LINEUP
Music:
Abou Sylla (New Hampshire) - Balafon -Guinea
Mohamed “Bako” Camara (New Mexico) - Drummer- Guinea
Soriba Fofana (New Mexico) - Drummer- Guinea
Napoleon Jambwa - (Florida) - Drummer/musician - Zimbabwe
Nfali Drame (New Mexico) - Drummer- Guinea
Dance & Song:
Ismael Kouyate (New Jersey) - Guinea
Rujeko Sarah Dumbutshena (Florida) -Zimbabwe
Napoleon Jambwa - (Florida) - Zimbabwe
Austin locals:
Aboubacar Sylla - Multi-percussionist - Guinea
Mohamed Sylla - Guinea - Drummer- Guinea
Alseny Sylla - Guinea - Drummer- Guinea
Jean Claude Lessou - Dancer - Ivory Coast
Mami Camara - Dancer-Guinea
Aicha Conde - Dancer & Singer- Guinea
African Diaspora:
Austin Samba - Brazilian Samba
Tambores Pal Pueblo - Puerto Rican Bomba
WORKSHOPS INSTRUCTORS - MASTER ARTISTS
Dance:
Ismael Kouyate - Guinea
Rujeko Sarah Dumbutshena - Zimbabwe
Mami Camara - Guinea
Jean Claude Lessou - Ivory Coast
Drum:
Soriba Fofana - Guinea
Aboubacar Sylla - Guinea
Balafon:
Abou Sylla - Guinea
You are welcome to come to watch the performances, to learn from the Master Instructors and to take part in this unique joyful musical experience in Austin, Texas!
NO EXPERIENCE NECESSARY TO ATTEND ALL WORKSHOPS. ALL LEVELS ARE WELCOME.
Drums are available for rent the day of the workshops.
This project is supported in part by an Elevate Grant of Austin Arts, Culture, Music and Entertainment.
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Event venue
George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center, 1165 Angelina St, Austin, TX 78702-2034, United States
Tickets
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