Give the Drummers Some

Mombasa Party and the Royal Drummers of Burundi. At UCSB’s
Campbell Hall, Friday, November 17.

Reviewed by Sara Barbour

The woman walking onto the stage has
presence. Walking, however, is hardly an adequate description of
her movement — she glides, bobs, and swings her hips alluringly
with each tiny step. She exudes an aura of command, each nudge
forward rustling her brightly patterned skirt and demanding the
attention of everyone present. Behind her, three musicians
skillfully ply their instruments to create the swaying beat for her
slow advance, but she has just to execute a girlish twirl of her
wrist for all to see that the stage is her dominion.

Thus began a spellbinding night of music, rhythm, and
performance at UCSB’s Campbell Hall, led off by the smooth sounds
of Kenya’s Mombasa Party and brought to a pounding climax by the
Royal Drummers of Burundi. The two groups of performers brought
their musical offerings to life with a combination of rhythm, song,
and movement that showcased the energy and diversity of African
culture.