The Leo Kelly Blacktown Arts Centre
An innovative multi-arts hub in the heart of Blacktown City.
Meet Yaw and Friends
Drumming Workshop with Yaw and Friends
Follow along with Ghanaian musicians, Yaw and Friends!
Sing along to Ghanaian chants, learn some words in Twi and make some noise with drum patterns all the way from West Africa.
Don’t have a drum? That’s okay. Children can use any household item, such as a bucket, box, pots or pans with wooden spoons or sticks.
Learn how to count in Twi
Join in for some dance moves, learn a funky drum rhythm and learn how to count in Twi!
Learn the days of the week in Twi
Learn how to say the days of the week in Twi, a language from West Africa, Ghana.
Learn African dance steps to ‘A Lions has a Tail’
Last week, Yaw and Friends taught you to sing and drum to the popular African song ‘A lion has a tail’. This week, they teach you how to dance to it! So, warm yourself up and get ready to learn some fun African steps.
Learn Ghanaian song ‘A Lion’
Discover new African instruments and sing along to popular Ghanaina song ‘A Lion’
Learn Ghanaian drumming and chants
In this first part, young ones will learn African rhythm and drum patterns all the way from West Africa. They’ll also master Ghanaian chants and sing along to a popular African song.
Bios
YAW: Stephen (Yaw) Derkyi is a native of Ghana. Yaw grew up in Winneba in the central region of Ghana. Yaw has an ignited passion for drumming, singing, traditional dancing and chanting. Unity is his motto!
KAKI: Kaki is a performer who lives and breathes all things ‘entertainment’! Kaki is very charismatic when it comes to entertaining others and loves to express this through her Ghanaian culture, alongside her twin sister; Penny, older sister; Aba and father; Yaw.
PENNY: Penny is a bubbly performer and educator who loves arts and crafts and creating fun new activities for children. Penny says she was born to sing and dance! She loves bringing smiles and positive energy to everyone’s daily life.
ABA: Aba does it all! Along with being a vibrant children’s entertainer, Aba is a 29-year-old, full-time, primary school teacher who brings the energy to her very own classroom every day! Aba loves putting smiles on children’s faces.
‘Meet Yaw and Friends’ was published September 2021.
This project is presented by Blacktown Arts and supported by Blacktown City Council and the NSW Government through Create NSW.
